ElephantTribe.org is super excited to give thanks to YOU this Thanksgiving, sharing with you the release of our very first and heartfelt Children’s book created by Native American and former US Navy Seal Dale Benson along with ElephantTribe.org.
This amazing Children’s book, “Hemi Demi Semi Quaver and the Butterfly – Growing up in the Watermill Pond” creates unique playful childhood education with vibrant colors, fun stories and musical characters that will truly inspire young kids to discover the joys of life!
We received this letter back from a School Teacher of 29 years after donating a book to her and the school.
I think you should take the time to read the letter – it will make you feel good…
A Thank You Letter:
November 8, 2014
Dear ElephantTribe.org,
I received the book (Hemi Demi Semi Quaver and the Butterfly Growing up in the Watermill Pond) last weekend and am ready to give you initial feedback. The timing was perfect, as I already knew I would be substituting in a first grade classroom the entire week for an injured teacher. It was difficult, but I restrained myself and did not open the package.
Monday morning I explained to the children that I had something very special in my hand: a brand new book, just written, that no other children or class had yet seen or heard. Hopefully that was a true statement, but if not it doesn’t matter as they were very impressed and intrigued. I told them that if they got all their work done, we would read it after lunch. They did, so I began by getting scissors and opening the package with dramatic flourish. You should have seen their eyes as I slowly and carefully pulled it out. Of course then we had the talk about how to take care of a new book.
I read it without stopping, in order to evaluate how engaged they were throughout. You could have heard pin drop. The 3 boys who were in trouble for inappropriate behavior that day and had lost their privilege to sit on the carpet when I read it were straining like crazy to sneak a peek.
After the initial reading, I talked to them about music notes. Since I had my guitar with me, I pulled out the song notebook and found a page with full notation and lyrics. I asked them to point to the Treble Clef, and almost everyone found it immediately. I then showed them the written notes, and named them, although we only had up to 16th notes.
Two days later, as the class was walking inside the room, Parker handed me his drawing. In 29 years of teaching full time and 5 years of substituting, I have never had a child of any age so intrigued by a story character that he drew it at home and brought it to me. I looked at that picture (after picking myself off the floor), and thought, he GOT it!
That afternoon, I reread it, and they were equally interested. We talked about all the various things in the pictures: the pond, the Treble Clef that was sometimes plain and sometimes decorated with a funny figure, the butterfly life cycle, and what Hemi was seeing, thinking, and doing (evaluating facial expressions and what he was looking at). We also discussed the setting – pond, water and cocoon. I asked what their favorite page was, and every page had fans. Probably the last 3 pages received them most attention.
One thing I particularly notice is the tone and variety of colors. There aren’t garish primary colors, but rather delicate, multihued pastels and realistic colors that project an unusual combination of fantasy and reality. Of course the same could be said for the text: it combines fantasy and reality based on beautiful principles of nature and music.
By the way, the page with the labeled keyboard gave me an opening to teach them the song “Do, Re Mi”. I’m not quite Julie Andrews, but I gave it my best imitation!
All in all, the book was well received and totally enjoyed by 27 children of diverse cultures and abilities. To be sure, the fact that I know music enhanced our experience, but I think even a teacher who has never played an instrument or sung would be able to draw much value out of reading that book. The teacher might learn as much about music as the kids!!
Finally, at the end of the day when Parker brought in the picture, I reminded him that I know the author and illustrator. I said, “I think he would love to see your picture. Do you mind if I send it to him?” Parker’s eyes widened in disbelief and acknowledgment of how special that would be, and then he smiled and nodded. So, enclosed is your first, direct from a first grader, artistic feedback. I hope you love it as much as I did.
Oh, one other thing: at some point you asked for my credentials. My BA is from Cal State University, Fullerton; my teaching credential 5th year is from Chapman University, and my MA (Master of Arts in Teaching) is from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.
I will be in touch again as I read the book to other grade levels. Please feel free to call with any questions or musings as they come along. Thanks so much for including me in your Hemi adventure.
Blessings,
Patty
PARKER’S DRAWING OF Hemi Demi Semi Quaver! :
ENJOY A HAPPY HOLIDAY & MAKE A DIFFERENCE – EVERY DONATION COUNTS!
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“By weaving our opinions, prejudices, strategies, and emotions into a solid reality, we try to make a big deal out of ourselves, out of our pain, out of our problems. But things are not as solid, predictable, or seamless as they seem.
We went to The World Vegan Summit & Expo in Marina Del Rey March 20 – 22, 2015
