The other night in Kentwood Hall we entertained ourselves and those who came. I talked and read, Byron Biggers Band performed, FRANK TAYLOR brought us up to date on the Legends Project efforts to transform some of my books and others into Braille.
We learned that chances are improving for the project to eventually extend into all 400+ public libraries in Missouri. He then took me by surprise by presenting me with the first copy of the first of my ten books slated for Braille. It’s a book that I co-wrote with JANE YOLEN called Rum Pum Pum.
My copy went directly into the Meyer Library on the MSU campus but I’ll soon get a copy of my own and one to send to Jane. We’re off and running!
If you live in the area, I hope you plan to be there tonight. This is the evening I’ve been talking about when I’ll speak and read from several books and Byron Biggers Band will perform ten of my poems set to music. The event is part of the Kentwood Hall Series sponsored by Meyer Library at MSU and is meant to make more people aware of the Legends Project, an effort to create several of my books, as well as other area authors, in Braille editions. This is NOT a fund raiser. It will last an hour, it’s free to the public, and it will be a lot of fun. Plenty of free parking available not far from the door.
I’ll plan to read a sample or two from seven of my poetry books that are on the Legends Project list. After that, the band will play. One of my favorites is Monday, a poem that first appeared thirty-one ears ago in a book called Somebody Catch My Homework. If I remember correctly, SANDY ASHER also used it in her play of the same name. It goes like this.
Overslept
Rain is pouring
Missed the bus
Dad is roaring
Late for school
Forgot my spelling
Soaking wet
Clothes are smelling
Dropped my books
Got them muddy
Flunked a test
Didn’t study
Teacher says
I must do better
Lost my money
Tore my sweater
Feeling dumber
Feeling glummer
Monday sure can be
A bummer.
Kentwood Hall has a rich history. In my high school years, some of our proms were held in the same ballroom -- The Crystal Room -- where we'll be performing tonight. When it was a hotel with permanent living quarters for some, my mother's twin sister, Eva, lived there. More recently, Writers Hall of Fame used the Crystal Room for its annual award ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishments of young writers in the area.
Children's Author David L. Harrison's Blog 
