A Day at Frenchtown School Part 2

By Maria Mostajo

At the Frenchtown School presentation we talked about yesterday, Rana also read her books, including What Does It Mean To Be Global, which gorgeously illustrates children trying all types of foods, celebrating different religions and cultures and encourages a greater sensitivity to other people’s experiences.  She then shared photographs of children from all over the world playing in their environments in an effort to show the Frenchtown schoolchildren that they are different yet very similar to their counterparts around the world.  The images were breathtakingly beautiful, had uplifting messages, and left the children with vibrant images to enhance their already open and creative minds.  

My favorite Little Pickle Press book in the series is What Does It Mean To Be Present? and when I read it I often think of yet another person, usually an adult, that could benefit from its message.  Rana described her inspiration for writing this book in a sincere and self-deprecating manner.  She admitted that, like so many adults, she is attached and addicted to her Blackberry and most importantly, how it was bothersome to her own children.  When asked if they knew anyone who had a Blackberry or I-phone, almost every hand went up. 

As she read the beginning of the book and asked them what it meant or didn’t mean be “present” they volunteered remarks, but as she softly read the words that described the “feeling of family, friends, savoring a delicious food or a snuggle or the warmth of the sun or the sound of the rain and the sand between your toes or the taste of the ocean’s salty spray…” the children’s peace was palpable.  I could hear the rhythm of each child’s breath as she read, “breathe… in and out, in and out… to make you peaceful… closing your eyes and being still enough to hear your inner voice.”  And for a moment I was reminded of how important it is for our children to settle down enough from their over-scheduled lives and activities to share with us what is inside of them; and for us parents to take the time to listen.

Rana and I left Rhode Island, which happens to be where she was raised, and marveled at the wonders of childhood and were so very thankful to have had the opportunity to partake in the Frenchtown’s effort to cultivate open minded and socially responsible little people.

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To purchase a copy of What Does It Mean To Be Present, written by Rana DiOrio and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler, please go to our shopping cart here.