A private writing session with two after-school participants at Claremont Neighborhood Center in the Bronx. Photo credit: Sherrie Young

LESA CLINE-RANSOME
BRONX, NEW YORK
APRIL 28 - MAY 2, 2003

Approximately 70 school-aged children from Claremont's after-school program met with Ms. Cline-Ransome twice during the week to learn the importance of finding their own voice through reading and writing.

The children were divided into two groups based on their ages. The younger group ranged from five years old to seven years old; and the older group ranged from eight years old to thirteen years old. Ms. Cline-Ransome read from her books, Satchel Paige, Quilt Alphabet, and Quilt Counting. To take the mystique out of writing, Ms. Cline-Ransome showed slides of where she lives and works, and of her four young children and husband. Because her husband is an illustrator, Ms. Cline-Ransome also showed slides of how he illustrates a book.

Participants at Claremont Neighborhood center presented a quilt to Ms. Lesa Cline-Ransome. Photo credit: Sherrie Young

After the author read from her Quilt Alphabet, a precocious eight-year-old asked, "Ms. Ransome, what genre is the book written in?" Ms. Cline-Ransome answered that it is poetry.

The older group was given time to write a paragraph about something that happened to them on that day. Ms. Cline-Ransome provided positive constructive feedback to the participants who were willing to read their work aloud. From this assignment, two of the readers requested a private session with Ms. Cline-Ransome to discuss their work. During the session, Ms. Cline-Ransome introduced the two readers to a thesaurus and told them that it is a great tool for writers. The National Book Foundation donated a thesaurus to each of the two readers and to Claremont's library.

The visit to Bronx Community College involved be more than ninety adult students (many of them who have families of their own) hearing Ms. Cline-Ransome speak about her "writing life" and how to pursue one's passion in life. Ms. Cline-Ransome started her presentation by speaking about growing up in a home where her family frequented the library. She also said that her mother would go to her bedroom, close the door, and read all day. Sometimes this resulted in burnt dinners or no dinner for the family. After college Ms. Cline-Ransome wrote copy for fashion catalogues, and it was while she was expecting her first child that she

Pre-schoolers at the Bronx Development Center, part of Bronx Community College. Photo credit: Sherrie Young

began writing for children. She explained how essential it is to manage her time in order for her to do something she loves. During the book signing, many of the students wanted to know how to get their own children to read. Her answer was simply, "Make it fun and not a chore."

"Make it fun and not a chore" is what Ms. Cline-Ransome did when she met with approximately forty-five three to five-year-old pre-schoolers. As she read excerpts of Quilt Alphabet to them, the pre-schoolers had to guess what each letter represented. They were excited as they screamed out "A is for Apples" or "E is for Eggs," and "H is for Horse."

The pre-schoolers were given the opportunity to select one copy of Satchel Paige, Quilt Alphabet, or Quilt Counting to take home. Some of the pre-schoolers were undecided, some knew exactly what they wanted, and some wanted all three of the books.

The National Book Foundation Settlement House Author Residency program is made possible through funding from the Theodore H. Barth Foundation, Educational Foundation of America, New York Community Trust, and the New York State Council on the Arts.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers generously donated Satchel Paige. SeaStar of North-South Books and Holiday House offered the author's books at a discount, which were donated by the Foundation to the participants.