STUDENT LETTERS

Here is one of the thank-you notes I received from students in Mrs. Tuckwiller's second grade class at Chamberlain Elementary at the end of the 2010-2011 school year.  Mrs. Tuckwiller's students are my first "official" listeners.  I read aloud to them each week for half an hour.  Usually, I read books written by other children's writers.  But, since I had a new book out last spring, I read it to them during our final read aloud session in May.   I even brought along my dulcimer and played a few simple (VERY SIMPLE!) tunes to demonstrate some of the music that the old-time musicians mentioned in the book -- Melvin Wine and Jake Krack -- would play. 

If you are going to play a musical instrument in public, it is a gift to be able to play for second graders.  Their enthusiasm is pure and boundless and radiates into your soul.  

So, Thank YOU, Sophia, for being such a kind and generous listener.  I can't think of a better FIRST AUDIENCE for PASSING THE MUSIC DOWN and I'm so very grateful that you enjoyed it.