Spreading the Magic...

As I walk Eliott to his classroom in the morning 

I'm greeted by older children coming to give me kisses.

These kids are in love with StoryTime workshops 

and they either thank me for coming to their class

or ask me when is the next time I come to their classroom?!

It is such a great feeling to see that they get it.

Our purpose is to encourage literacy

 by introducing kids to the magic only books can provide

as well as developing peace, goodwill and understanding 

through meaningful stories from all over the world

and by providing children with a positive interaction with a foreign language at an early age.

Last week something magical happened.

You remember how in September some kids were reluctant to come and listen to stories
 on a Saturday afternoon for the Journée anglaise.
{see here for the full story}

Well, one of the children who decided to give it a try loved it so much
 that she wanted these workshops to come to her classroom.

She told her mum, who told me and her teacher, 

she told all her friends at school
and they kept asking me to come until finally it happened, last Thursday.

As I walked into their calssroom as Emma-the StoryLady,

they were beaming with joy and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement.

We shared Gemma O'Neil Oh Dear Geoffrey! -a great story about self acceptance-

My Mum by Anthony Brown - I believe we can never talk too much about filial love!-

and Nick Sharrat's Ketchup on Your Cornflakes - 

this book is always a hit!

{Anton was on my laps while I was reading and he won the children's hearts!}

This morning something even more magical happened!

As today is the last day of school before the Summer break,

a day characterized by games, candies and movies in the classroom, 

these lovely children asked me intently if I would please come and tell them stories in English, today. 

It's amazing to see that for them StoryTime workshops are as appealing as candies,games and DVDs...

Let's say it, 

English Rocks! and the magic is spreading...

Thank You Mr Mandela

Here is a great book to introduce older children and teens to the life of Nelson Mandela
Voici un livre intéressant pour découvrir la vie de Nelson Mandela avec de grands enfants ou des adolescents

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Invictus by William Henley,

This poem is said to have been a source of empowerment for Nelson Mandela

during his years in prison.

~ ~ ~

Dans les ténèbres qui m’enserrent,

Noires comme un puits où l’on se noie,

Je rends grâce aux dieux quels qu’ils soient,
Pour mon âme invincible et fière,

Dans de cruelles circonstances,
Je n’ai ni gémi ni pleuré,
Meurtri par cette existence,
Je suis debout bien que blessé,

En ce lieu de colère et de pleurs,
Se profile l’ombre de la mort,
Et je ne sais ce que me réserve le sort,
Mais je suis et je resterai sans peur,

Aussi étroit soit le chemin,
Nombreux les châtiments infâmes,
Je suis le maître de mon destin,
Je suis le capitaine de mon âme.

"Invictus" de William Henley 

(traduction Wikipedia)

Il est dit de ce poème qu'il a été une source d'inspiration pour Mandela 

pendant ses longues années en prison

~~~~

Thank you Mr Mandela

for teaching the world that we can live together regardless of 

our culture or the colour of our skin.

Merci M. Mandela 

d'avoir montré au monde que nous pouvons vivre ensemble

quelque soit notre culture ou la couleur de notre peau.