Category Archives: Library

My time at the NYPL

Jocelyn

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This is, Bronx resident and TCI student, Jocelyn. I was leaving the library with two of my students and asked her if I could photograph her. I thought her style was basic but also original.

The middle photo was taken by my second grader, Sade. Jocelyn is posing with her little sister.

Walter Dean Myers

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At the African-American book fair I had the great opportunity to meet  Walter Dean Myers.

The fact that Walter Dean Myers was on the list to be present at the book fair, is what really gave me extra zeal to go. I woke up on Saturday morning and did not really want to travel to Philly but every time I thought about Walter Dean Myers being there, I felt I needed to go.

When I was younger, I used to read Walter Dean Myers books…I tried to read all of them. In the eight grade my teacher assigned the class to read Fast Sam, Cool Clyde and Stuff. The class I was in, the students were very hard to reach. Somehow through that book and the teaching style of my teacher we begin to look forward to English. I remember that book giving me goosebumps. My teacher did not hold back on educating us. We spoke about each chapter and even figured out why Myers would name the characters the way he did.

I don’t know what I expected Myers to say to me when I met him. I really didn’t have much to say myself. He simply said, keep reading and writing. Just for keeps, I got a book signed. Nevertheless, I am glad I met Walter Dean Myers.

David

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I was looking for someone to take a photo of and bumped into one of my students from the library- decked out in green.

It’s pleasant when you see young kids who are beginning to form their own style. If you really think about it, it’s really the youth who are running the fashion world. If they don’t like it, then it’s pretty much out of the norm.

African American Children’s Book Fair

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February 4, 2012 will be the 20th Anniversary of the African-American Children’s Book Fair located in the Community College of Philadelphia  gymnasium.

Last year I had the opportunity of going and simply loved it!

There were so many excited children and on top of that patient authors and illustrators willing to talk and sign each book for each child. Just to be around people who enjoyed reading as much as I did and to be in the same room with so many talented people made me feel ecstatic. I left feeling encouraged to read and write more.

According to sources Walter Dean Myers, E. B. Lewis, Byran Collier, Sean Qualls, and Javaka Steptoe are just a few of the artist who are going to be there. It sounds like a fair not to miss.

Check out this blog for more information: http://thebrownbookshelf.com/2012/01/24/20-years-strong/

Little African Girl

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I took this photo over the summer. She was waiting for her Mom to come and pick her up from the baby sitter.

She was so independent and serious. She carried her lunch bag like it was a purse.

I like this photo because of her demeanor, her outfit, and her surroundings.

Scarface

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I took this photo about two years ago.

There was a mural of Scarface on the wall of a barber shop near the library (it’s not there anymore).

Walking to the library, the kids saw the mural and got excited.

Coming back from the library, I noticed how the sun was setting slowly as it always does in the summer. I loved the light on the wall and asked the kids to take a picture.

It was hard getting them to pose. They are not really posing in this picture.

After settling the fight over who would wear my sun glasses, I hurried to take the picture  before they got irritated over something else.

A lot of the barbers were outside enjoying the breeze and started talking about me and the 5 kids. They were trying to guess if they were my kids. I don’t know what it was about me that made them realize that they weren’t my kids.

Despite all the trouble it took to take the photo, it is one of my favorite photos from Summer 09.