PATRICIA POLACCO
by Patrick Sperfslage
Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Elvis Presley, Michael Jordan, Patricia Polacco....all great names in our world.
You may recognize some of thosenames, but I am here today to teach you about one you may not know. Patricia Polacco. She is my absolute favorite author and illustrator. Once you get to know her and her work, I am sure you will like her too.
Patricia Polacco was born in Lansing Michigan in 1944. Her mother’s family was from the Ukraine (Russia) and her father was Irish.
Patricia’s parents divorced when she was three so Patricia and her brother and mother moved to California to be near her grandparents. The children returned to Michigan every summer to spend time with their dad and his family.
Patricia had lots of trouble with school. She is dyslexic. She couldn’t read until she was fourteen. That was very frustrating for her, but she was always and excellent artist.
Patricia got married when she was 18 and has two children. Her husband, Enzo is an Italian Jew chef. His family came from Poland to Italy and many members died in death camps during WWII. Patricia uses their name on her books to honor them.
Patricia did not go to college until after she had children. Now she has a PhD in Art History. She did not start writing children’s books until she was 41 years old.
Polacco came from a family of storytellers. When she was a little girl, she loved to rock in rocking chairs and listen to stories. Now she collects rocking chairs and rocks every morning to get her imagination going. Her family did not have a TV and she advises people to turn off their TVs and listen to the voices inside their heads.
Patricia Polacco has received many awards and honors including being a guest of President and Mrs. Bush at this year’s White House Easter Egg Hunt to read her stories to children.
Polacco’s writing and illustrations are not typical children’s stories. She has a special talent to teach us of differences, whether it be the elderly, the disabled, or people of different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Her books are so touching, yet educational. You will not be able to fully understand the talent of Polacco until you have laughed and cried through her books.
All of her books are based on her life experiences. Whenever Patricia’s Ukrainian grandmother finished telling a story, Patricia and her brother would ask “Bubby, is that a true story?” Their babushka would reply, “Of course its true, but it may not have happened.”
I am going to share just a little about a few of Patricia Polacco’s books:
* Share info on sticky notes on these books about the inspirations, etc.
Meteor
My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother
The Keeping Quilt
Thank You Mr Falker
In Enzo’s Splendid Garden
Applemondo’s Dreams
Pink and Say
Firetalking
I am the proud owner of every Polacco book. Please feel free to come browse through my collection. I also have printed bookmarks that I will pass out.
I got much of my information from Patricia Polacco’s website and her books and other internet sources. I am proud to announce that Patricia Polacco’s son emailed us and has offered to post some of this presentation material on her website.
That is the end of my presentation and remember, of course its true, but it may not have happened.
Are there any questions?
