On Thursday, February 11, 2016, I arrived in New York City to attend the SCBWI NYC Conference. Being a teacher/author/performer/aspiring illustrator/hustler, I always try to get two (or three or more things) done in one trip to the US. So when I was invited to do a school visit, I said yes! I had the pleasure of presenting at my first school visit to promote Malaika's Costume. I visited the kindergarten students and staff at Hunter College Elementary School. Hunter College is a gifted public school located in Manhattan, New York. The 50 students were keen to listen, inquisitive, and adorable. As they first entered the room, this was really happening and became real FAST. I was living my dream! The presentation took place in the elementary school library where the children sat looking up at me. The adults-- parents, teachers, and a librarian-- were all eyes and ears, too. I was so glad that on the plane and in the cab from the airport, I began to think of a few things to add to this presentation. It was supposed to be "just a reading" but then I realized, it could be, and it should be much more. I thought of the New York City children and the fact that many of them live within the city and most have never been to or seen a Caribbean Carnival (although I know there is one in Brooklyn, New York on Labour Day Weekend but these are kindergarteners). How do I make this experience real for them? Thankfully, I brought my laptop full of photos that I took at the Toronto Kiddie Carnival in 2015. I got to share these photos with a projector, a screen, and Destra's "It's Carnival" playing in the background (thank you trusty "tech guy"!). Then for my audience to "feel" Carnival, we danced to some really spirited soca tunes. I got them to "Iwa, Butterfly, Shadow, and Wave", "Follow the Leader", and dance in a conga line. The kids, staff, parents, and I had a blast! When it was time for us to recover and return to class, the students said a collective "AWWWW!!!" (I giggled because I anticipated that reaction. Children are the same everywhere.) In class, they coloured the "Malaika's Costume" sheets I prepared or designed their costumes on the bookmarks. What a fun experience! I even had my own Malaika moment: WIth my best intentions, I mailed books from Canada to meet them in the United States but they did not arrive in NYC by the time I arrived. Instead of what I signed up for-- tracking number, insurance, priority mail 4-6 days and arriving in NYC ahead of me--. the books arrived in NYC just 2 days ago, after 2+ weeks after I had already returned to Canada. The box that the books were in was badly damaged (holes, roughly and loosely taped up, open), most of the books were damaged and one missing. A claim has been made and investigation in order. This was a heartbreaking experience nevertheless, on the day of my presentation, I made the very best of the opportunity to present at Hunter College that day. The hugs, enthusiasm, and the smiles from the children made this all worth it.
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