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Leyla Torres
P.S. 115
June 2-6, 2003
Photo Credit: Leyla
Torres |
Leyla
Torres spent the week of June 2 working with
nearly 300 third graders at P.S. 115 in Washington Heights.
Students read Leyla's book, Saturday Sancocho,
as well as library copies of Liliana's Grandmother's,
and Subway Sparrow in preparation for her visit.
The first few visits were introductory. Leyla initiated
her residency by answering students questions: What
part of Colombia are you from? Where do you live? Are
your stories about your life? Did you really see a sparrow
in the subway? Students in English as a Second Language
classes were pleased that Leyla was able to communicate
to them in Spanish, and that her books are bilingual.
Photo Credit: Leyla Torres
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In her subsequent classroom visits, Leyla showed students
how her books are made. She began by taking them step
by step through the illustration process, from drafts
to the final paintings. She explained how she writes
the text, then matches it page by page with the illustrations.
Students were mesmerized by the amount of drafts and
time involved in making a picture book; many of them
were familiar with the author/illustrator relationship
already! Leyla also showed the different types of books
she has made, including an accordion book, a two-page
book, as well as personal books she prepared for her
parents (who live in Colombia), nieces, and nephews.
Photo Credit: Maryann Jacob |
In workshops with students, Leyla encouraged each child
to tell his or her story, and complement them with illustrations.
One writing exercise required students to make an accordion
book in heart-shaped form, which was great fun for the
third graders.
Students also took joy in finding the "secrets"
that Leyla has hidden in her books. Some images reappear
in a number of her books, and it was a fun challenge
for third graders to try and find them. It was not hard,
though, to find caricatures of Leyla throughout her
books as well, always as a girl with a long, dark braid!
Photo Credit: Maryann
Jacob |
Classes used the bulletin boards outside their classrooms
to dedicate their versions of Leyla's work to the author.
Some students used "alternative" ingredients
for Saturday Sancocho, while others focused on
Leyla's relationship with her pet parrot. A few students
also did their own stories about "abuelitas,"
or grandmothers.
On her last day at P.S. 115, Leyla bid farewell to
a school she described as "lovely, and full of
life and love for learning." Librarian Steve Liebman
remarked that he "couldn't have been more pleased"
with the residency. Not only did students feel at ease
with Leyla right away, but her stories and experiences
were similar to their own, and for that reason her visit
will remain a fond memory for years to come.
…In the first session,
each group spent time remembering and writing personal
memories that could go into our planned book. I began
the activity by explaining that writers choose to write
about those things they really care about; about those
things that are closest to their hearts. As an example,
I showed students some of the actual objects I used
as models in illustrating Saturday
Sancocho. These objects included a basket, a
watering can, a spinning top, candles, a mirror, and
the spice called cumin. I explained to students why
these objects were close to my heart, and showed them
where in Saturday Sancocho
they appear. Then, I asked the children to handle these
objects, observing carefully with all their sense of
sight, touch and smell. This exercise primed the students
to recall memories and experiences involving their own
families and friends. After a lively conversation where
most of the children shared a personal anecdote, I suggested
they write down some of the ideas they had shared with
each other. All the children participated with great
enthusiasm!
…As I had done with
their children, I showed parents some of the actual
objects I had used as models in illustrating Saturday
Sancocho, and shared with them some personal
family anecdotes related to these objects. I then encouraged
these parents to share some of their own anecdotes and
favorite recipes. The group responded by sharing with
each other some entertaining stories as well as variations
on the sancocho (chicken stew) recipe, which appeared
in Saturday Sancocho.
At the end of this session, I signed books for parents
who asked.
…Authors in Residence
activities such as the one I participated at PS 115
provide enormous benefits to the minds of young students.
It encourages these students to see themselves in a
way they may never have considered before; and to realize
that through patience, determination and the application
of all the skills they are working so hard to develop
in school, they too can produce a very precious fruit.
Sincerely,
Leyla Torres
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