Mary E. Stapleton School
25 Elm Street Framingham,MA01701

April 30, 2008

Wal-Mart
C/O Joanne Blondiet, Community Relations
121 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01701

Dear Ms. Blondiet,
Yesterday was a magical day for Stapleton School's young authors! Barbara McGrath truly was a treat - more colorful than her M&M's and more heartfelt than her Necco hearts. Mrs. McGrath is not only a very talented author, but also, she is a humanitarian, who reaches out to school children in her home state and in places throughout our country, such as Biloxi, Mississippi, after Hurricane Katrina, to share her passion for literacy. Barbara spoke to K-5 Stapleton students, author to author, empowering them as budding writers. Our students have been holding Publishing Parties throughout the year, sharing their published works with families and classmates. Mrs. McGrath's respect of the students from the outset of her program resulted in their mutual respect of the wisdom that she shared.
As I greeted students entering school this morning, they had so many great things to share with me about yesterday's author. One child told me, "Do you believe Mrs. McGrath had one book rejected by 35 publishers before one accepted it?" Another child said, "Last night, I was bored so I started a new writer's notebook at home and got an idea. I am writing a story with characters who are half ghost and half children." A third child asked, "Did you get the address of the publishing company that Mrs. McGrath says publishes children's work, yet?" A fourth child said, "I know you liked the question I asked Mrs. McGrath." A fifth child, with a little grin, looked up at me and said, "I will try not to write about video games and Six Flags anymore."
Teachers and students (and, of course, your dear Tia, Cora, Cassie, and Collin, amongst them) share in my gratitude of Wal-Mart's sponsorship of Barbara McGrath. Though an author's visit is always a treat, this year, with a new townwide writing effort, it was an extra special to showcase an internationally published author. Barbara McGrath was the perfect choice. Thank you, Ms. Blondiet, and thank you, Wal-Mart.

Sincerely,

Rosanne Kates
Literacy Specialist/Head Teacher

cc: Barbara McGrath