Elephant of Surprise

I attended the annual "What's NEW in Children's Literature?" Bureau of Education and Research Workshop yesterday, and there was . . .

an ELEPHANT OF SURPRISE?!

Judy's retiring from her BER gig.🙁

"Whoa! I didn't know That was going to happen!"

Judy Freeman (http://www.judyreadsbooks.com/), Book Troubadour, is on her "Farewell Tour."  She has just a couple more weeks, and then she'll be vacationing and on to new adventures!

The "Farewell Tour" includes . . . 

Judy demonstrating "Cotten Picking" Fingerpicking Style of Folks-Blues Legend Elizabeth Cotten while introducing Libba: The Magnificient Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten by Laura Veirs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56WpRnQGQc4

Judy incorporating movement and music to engage students!  Here's another ditty we enjoyed while exploring Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHfvYzJeOwY&pbjreload=10

I'm so sorry I didn't get a snippet of us stomping and clapping to her adaptation of Queen's song when introducing We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins ~ "We Will, We Will CHOMP YOU, CHOMP YOU!"😜

I have learned SO MUCH from Judy these past 15 years:

To Judy:

It's been awesome to be in the room where it happens with YOU!

My Friend Is Sad, and my heart hurts too.

We could write a Thank You Book for all the stories you've shared . . . the artists and scientists you introduced, the poetry you sang, and . . . 

Mrs.McBloom had to clean up her classroom, and we know you do too . . . 

Z is for Zebra's Friend, but let's not call this "the end," but a beginning of something "NEW!"

We look forward to the next chapter, and a happy ever after, as you turn the page, Judy!

It would always be too soon, but as Bob Hope would croon, "Thanks for the memories! We thank you SO MUCH!"♥️

If you want to talk reading aloud, storytelling, book talking, readers' theatre, and all aspects of children's literature, you need to talk with Judy.  She's available for conferences and school visits.  She is an INSPIRATION, and I'm so thankful I've shared the same space, breathed the same air, and joined her team to create a better world by putting GOOD BOOKS in the hands of children. 📚💙💜😻 #mrsbroamhats #mrsbroamREADS #allfeelingsareokay #iwillmissmyfriend