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Hi friends I hope you had a good summer. I know it’s fall because I’ve just visited my first schools and am looking ahead to a busy couple of months. Every year, I can’t believe how little the kindergarteners are. When I do school shows, they’re often the first students to come to an assembly, and they have no idea where to sit or what to do. I have to say, “Look up here! At me!” They look at me like I’m from Mars. Then, always, in the middle of a story the one in front of me lies down, or falls asleep, or picks his nose, or stands to look out at the huge crowd behind her. Some things never change. It reminds me of one time when I was visiting a classroom and was taking questions. At the very end, one kid who had been looking at me very intently raised his hand. “Are you a beggar?” he asked. Well kind of. This summer was a time for taking stock of where I am and what I’m up to. I’m finishing up some writing projects: one is a rewrite of a middle grade novel that will be out on Peachtree next Fall (2008) The Night or the Spadefoot Toads; a couple of songs; a couple of new stories to tell. Very confusing, up there in my head, I assure you. |
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School Culture |
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I’m beginning to do some early research and planning for a book about how schools develop a rich culture. While I’m not a classroom teacher and no expert on curriculum, I have visited thousands of schools in my work, and seen what goes into making a good place for kids to learn and grow. The questions someone asks about school culture might include: What stories does everyone hold in common? What songs? What do groups of people do together? What celebrations do they have? How are misunderstandings handled? What are the unspoken rules? Are there special rituals? How is art used? All of these things are hard to measure, but they all go into making a culture, or web of understanding, that makes a good school. I have some thoughts on all of these. And if any of you have responses to these questions, or particular examples of schools, teachers, and administrators doing good things in those areas (or related ones), I’d appreciate hearing from you! (Click here to email) |
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"All Things Considered" on NPR |
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Many of you know that I’ve been a frequent contributor to All Things Considered, the National Public Radio news show played nationally on public radio stations across the country. I’ve had three or four pieces on lately Ð you can hear a lot of my work there on their web site www.npr.orgÐI’m happy to be there. (Click here to search for Bill's commentaries) |
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Recordings |
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| For the first time in about ten years, I didn’t make a recording this summer. We did do a taping of a show for public television with the great folks at www.montanapbs.org (TV) and www.mtpr.net (radio) in Missoula Montana, which should be out in the spring of 2008. This winter, I’ve got plans to record 1) an album of folksongs for kids, and/or 2) an album of songs for adults or 3) another storytelling recording. We’ll see what happens. Who knows? |  |
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picture by M. Gallacher |
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Special Sweet Deal - buy recordings, get honey! |
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Books |
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I’ve been rereading some books by one of my favorite authors, Robertson Davies. Tempest-Tost (a part of The Salterton Trilogy) is just a great read, especially if you’ve ever been in a community theater production. I enjoyed The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty, which takes place right where I live. And I’m currently working my way through The Glorious Cause by Robert Middlekauff, a long history of the American Revolution. It sure is an interesting perspective on empire and the striving for liberty on the part of our predecessors. What a long strange trip it’s been. I also read a remarkable book by Timothy Egan, The Worst Hard Time, about the people who stayed during the Great Dust Bowl years of the thirties. Unbelievable! Here's Deb's
thoughts: "I’ve
read some wonderful books lately – some just funny, light reading,
some surprisingly powerful, some extraordinarily powerful. Here
are a few... Dylan worked his way through some Steinbeck this summer and loved In Dubious Battle, along with The Grapes of Wrath. Noah, recently graduated from college, recommends Exterminate All the Brutes by Sven Lindqvist (about the European colonial adventure in Africa, Why We Can't Wait by Dr. King and Ways of Seeing by John Berger. Let us know what you’re reading.
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From the Office |
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Holiday Sales Specials |
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From November 10th to December 16th you can get a deal on several of Bill’s titles.
And don't forget: if you buy $100 or more of stuff, you get a free bottle of "Harley's Honey" from Bill's Bees. |
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Honey Recipes |
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| Because we have so much honey, we would love to hear some of your favorites. Of course we planning on sharing any we get, so please check back to see what we've come up with. Email your favorites to Michele@billharley.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Bill's Online Radio |
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In case you missed it on the homepage, we now have an online radio with only Bill’s songs on it. Please send any friend who hasn’t heard of Bill there so they can have a listen. |
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Wacka Wacka Woo now on CD |
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| Originally released in 1995 on cassette only, this is a great mix of Bill Harley songs and stories. Perfect for ages 5 and up and a great gift for the Bill Harley fan who already owns every other CD. Click here to see. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Online Calendar |
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| To find out where Bill will be and when, please check his online calendar. (Please note that only events open to the public are displayed on the calendar) Or you can join our email list and have notices sent to you. | |||||||||||||||||||||||