Miriam Cohen
P.S. 115
Washington Heights, NY
June 5-9, 2000

The National Book Foundation's annual Family Literacy residency at P.S. 115 in Washington Heights was scheduled for the week of June 5. Mary Ann Hoberman was to return to the school for the sixth year in a row; however, an unexpected knee operation prevented her from participating this year. Students sent Mary Ann get-well cards and she, in turn, sent a videotape expressing her regrets.

Children's author Miriam Cohen stepped in and took part in what was a very successful residency. More than 200 third graders at P.S. 115 read her book, Down in the Subway, along with Mary Ann's book, Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers, which they had received earlier. The positive feedback from students, parents and teachers at P.S. 115 was overwhelming. Students related their own experiences to Miriam's book so well that they performed a skit of Down in the Subway, for Miriam, with a Dominican theme to it, as most of the students at P.S. 115 are of Dominican descent. Miriam's English as a Second Language class did a Spanish translation of the book and read aloud both the English and Spanish versions. Students also animated Miriam's book with a Calypso dance and sing-along, acting out the role of the "Island lady" on the subway.

Miriam also introduced the students to her new book, Eddy's Dream. Miriam showed them the manuscript and illustrations thus far, and asked for their feedback, since the book is still a work in progress. They discussed the concept of daydreams, which is the premise of the book, and also translated this book into Spanish. This gave Miriam the idea to make, Eddy's Dream a bi-lingual book.

More than fifteen parents attended Miriam's parents workshop. One of the parents translated Down in the Subway into Spanish for the rest of the group. Miriam engaged parents in a writing workshop in which she would share with the group her work and they did the same. She was delighted at how eager they were to write their own poems and stories! Also, many parents were happy to know that their children were part of such a unique and important program and that they were reading a book that was relevant to their lives. Program liaison and P.S. 115 librarian, Steve Liebman, acknowledged the Foundation for this.

Miriam's residency ended with a presentation by first and second graders of P.S. 115 performing various stories through music, dance, poetry and story telling. Some of the stories were Miriam's and others were from books they had read during the year. Miriam and the Foundation received a huge round of applause from students and teachers at her Honor Luncheon. Many students and teachers eagerly asked her to return next year, perhaps along with Mary Ann Hoberman!