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Patricia Polacco (born July 11, 1944, in Lansing, Michigan, USA) is the author and illustrator of many picture books for children. Although she struggled in school and was unable to read until age 14 due to dyslexia, she found relief by expressing herself through art. Polacco endured teasing and hid her disability until a teacher recognized that she could not read and began to help her. Thank you, Mr. Falker is Polacco's retelling of this encounter and its outcome.

Polacco attended several colleges in Oakland, California: California College of Arts and Crafts and Laney Community College. Later she attended Monash University and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia. Having learned to work around her dyslexia, Polacco earned a Master's Degree in Fine Arts and a Ph.D. in Art History with an emphasis on Iconography. She then worked for several years restoring religious icons.

Polacco began writing books when she was 41, and many of her works are semi-autobiographical. Because her parents divorced when she was young, she and her brother spent their early life living in two places: schoolyears with their mother and grandparents in the multicultural environment of Oakland, CA, and summers with their father and his parents on a farm in Union City, Michigan. Polacco's mother's family were Russian Jews from Ukraine, while her father's family were Irish, and this multicultural heritage is evident in many of her stories and illustrations. Many Polacco works were inspired by stories told by her grandparents, and she attributes her writing talent to her family's love of storytelling.

Polacco also serves as a speaker for schools and libraries, sharing her stories with children and adults. She formerly lived in Oakland, California, but now lives in Union City, Michigan, where she periodically opens her house so her fans can take part in writing seminars, storytelling festivals, literature conferences and various events celebrating children's literature. She is afraid of flying, and now travels only by ground transportation, which has limited her choice of venues. In 2006 Polacco's appearance at the International Reading Association conference in Chicago, Illinois, was cancelled due to fears by the sponsor, SRA/McGraw-Hill, that Polacco would speak out against the No Child Left Behind Act, which she opposes. On her website, Polacco has contended that McGraw-Hill profits from the No Child Left Behind Act because it sells testing materials mandated by the act.

Polacco has earned many awards for her writings and illustrations. Among these are the Sydney Taylor Book Award in 1988 for The Keeping Quilt, the Commonwealth Club of California Recognition of Excellence for Babushka's Doll in 1990, and Chicken Sunday in 1992. She also won the Parents Choice Honors for Some Birthday! in 1991, Dream Keeper in 1997, and Thank you, Mr. Falker in 1998, as well as many others.

Life

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Polacco's parents divorced when she was young, and she and her brother spent much of their early life living in two places: schoolyears with her mother and grandparents in Oakland, CA, and summers with her father and his parents in Union City, MI. Patricia's mother's family were Russian Jews from Ukraine, while her father's family were Irish. Her rich multi-cultural heritage shows through in many of her stories and illustrations. Many of her books celebrate life in many lands. Patricia attributes her writing talent to her family's love of storytelling.

"Did you love school as a kid?" "I'm going to answer this honestly — of course I didn't! Because when I was little, learning was very difficult for me. School was a place that I went to feel dumb. This was not the fault of my teachers because they didn't know I had a learning disability, and neither did I! But school was so hard, it wasn't a pleasant place for me to be. It was made worse, of course, because I had a child who teased me almost every day at school and made me feel even worse. That's why, when I talk to schoolchildren, I have a great deal to say about the horror of teasing." (Scholastic interview)


attended Ohio State University

At the age of 41, Polacco began writing and illustrating personal books for her two children, Steve and Traci. A few of these are A Christmas Delivery for Traci and Steve and A Special Christmas. Polacco started by writing down some of the stories told to her by her grandparents.

She was inspired by many authors from her childhood. Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit was one of her favorites, as well as The Tall Book of Mother Goose by Feodor Rojankovsky. Her greatest artistic hero was Norman Rockwell. Some of Polacco's modern day heroes are fellow illustrators and authors. Among them are Jerry and Gloria Jean Pinkney, Tomie De Paola, Rafe Martin, and Jan Brett, as well as many others.


Learning disability

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In Thank you, Mr. Falker, Polacco describes her childhood encounter with a teacher who realized that she could not read. When asked in a Scholastic interview about how her learning disability has affected her, Polacco replied:

"Well, dyslexia isn't something that goes away. But with help, you can learn to cope with it. Mr. Falker noticed that I was having extreme trouble. Oddly enough, I didn't want any of my teachers to know what kind of trouble I was in. I thought they wouldn't like me anymore. So, when he came to me and said, 'I think you have something that many, many people have, and I'll bet you feel dumb and like there's something wrong with you. I'm here to tell you, you are brilliant. You just don't see things the way other people do.' Just the knowledge for me to know that I had something lots of other people have and that had absolutely nothing to do with my intelligence made me feel better. There are many techniques to help you learn. Just because you can't learn like other people do does not mean that you are dumb. There are special classes today, there are specialists who work with you. Take advantage of it! You asked, 'Am I still bothered by it?' There are times even now I can still get confused, but I'm not bothered by it because it isn't my fault and there is nothing wrong with me. I simply have a learning disability. Now I just laugh!"


Polacco does not compose her stories at a typewriter, but composes them in her mind, while rocking in a rocking chair and listening to music. She says, "One of the elements of my learning disability is a need for movement in order to process information." (Scholastic interview)

Writing and illustrating style

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Polacco generally writes about real people, particularly family members and historical figures, and tries to make her characters authentic. She states, "I am careful, though, not to write in a voice that does not belong to me." (Scholastic interview)

Vandergrift describes Polacco's work as "reflective autobiography."

Polacco loves goats, and she tries to include a goat in every book she writes, either in the story or in the artwork. (Scholastic interview)



Chronological bibliography

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Alphabetical bibliography

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References

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[[Category:1944 births|Polacco, Patricia]\ [[Category:American children's writers|Polacco, Patricia]\ [[Category:American illustrators|Polacco, Patricia]\ [[Category:American writers|Polacco, Patricia]\ [[Category:California writers|Polacco, Patricia]\ [[Category:Living people|Polacco, Patricia]\ [[Category:Michigan writers|Polacco, Patricia]\ [[Category:People from Michigan|Polacco, Patricia]\ [[Category:Women writers|Polacco, Patricia]\


Polacco website letter accessed May 30, 2006

Due to an overwhelming response concerning the cancellation of my appearance at the IRA, (May 2nd. and 3rd., 2006), I am reposting the original announcement letter.


Urgent Notice....

To All Educators, Librarians, and Media Specialists Regarding the cancellation of my appearance at the IRA in Chicago for May 2 and 3, 2006

A few months ago I was approached by The Buchanan Associates in Dublin, OH to appear at the International Reading Association Conference in Chicago on May 2 and 3, 2006. I was to be part of 5 events. Speeches, 'meet and greet' and book signings.

I was happy to accept the invitation which, I assumed, was coming from the I.R.A. and my publisher. It is always such an honor for me to speak and interact with teachers and librarians from around the country.

But then a very disturbing turn of events transpired. My staff started receiving phone calls and emails from this firm in Ohio requesting that I furnish them with a detailed written outline of what I intended to include in my speeches. I assumed, of course, that this was asked so that a synopsis of my content could be included in a printed brochure furnished to the conferees.

You can imagine my astonishment when I finally called this firm and learned that this was not the reason. They requested my written outline because their 'client' wanted to make sure that I would not discuss my deep concern about NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND MANDATE...as well as my concern that there is a link between this mandate and the SRA/McGraw Hill Company who manufactures, prints, and profits from the sale of these tests to school systems all over our country.

It was then that I closely reviewed all of the emails (I had not up until this time because I had been doing school visits and was not home until now). I then realized that the "client" that this firm referred to, but never names, was indeed, SRA/McGraw Hill! I also learned from the Officials of the IRA that SRA/McGraw Hill was indeed sponsoring the event that I had been invited to. I was shocked!

This "firm" insisted that my speech be "upbeat, non-controversial, and non-political"...I countered with the fact that the plight of the American teacher is far from "upbeat" and they are caught in the vice grip of the most controversial and political LIE that has ever been perpetrated on the American teacher.

I was also quite mystified as to why SRA/McGraw Hill would even select ME and invite me to be part of their program knowing how strongly I feel about this entire situation.

My speeches certainly do inspire teachers...I truly believe they are among the last hero's we have in our country...but I always mention the destructive path that is laying wasted to our schools and that is the No Child Left Behind Mandate!

I did mention to them that I considered this broaching "censorship" and a violation of my freedom of speech.

Finally, after receiving numerous emails from this 'firm' that got more and more 'insistent'...I finally sent them a written refusal to alter my speeches in any way, Certainly I can moderate their length, but I refused to alter the content. I made them aware if they truly had a problem with this, then they could "un-invite" me to be part of their event.

Needless to say, SRA/McGraw Hill cancelled my programs within the hour!

My main concern here, is that I very much fear the conferee's will be led to believe that it is I who cancelled this event. The cancellation was the choice of SRA/McGraw Hill and was generated by a blatant attempt to CENSOR my remarks and the content of what I say to teachers. Which is a clear infringement of my constitutional right to freedom of speech. I pride myself on being an advocate for America's teachers as well as being one of the most reliable speakers at conferences in our country.

My lawyers and I have set a formal request to SRA/McGraw Hill through their representative, The Buchanan Associates in Dublin, Ohio, to post the following signs outside of each venue at the conference where I am schedules to speak.

"DUE TO PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SRA/McGRAW HILL AND PATRICIA POLACCO, SRA/McGRAW HILL HAS CHOSEN TO CANCEL ALL OF PATRICIA POLACCO'S APPEARANCES AT THIS EVENT"

Call anyone you know that was either going to attend my events, or that did and were disappointed and tell them why this happened.

I am very disturbed by this on many levels. It seems that we American's are losing, by leaps and bounds, our constitution "guaranteed" rights.

I am insulted and very offended not only on my own behalf, but also because of these various organizations that seek to profit from the misery for our teachers and school children. Profits and money seem to matter much more that truly making changes to our educational systems that would truly help our children. I have to admit that I have a certain amount of pride in taking this stand on your behalf.


Yours faithfully,

Patricia Polacco


A RESPONSE TO SRA/McGRAW HILL REMARKS IN REGARD TO THEIR CANCELLATION OF MY PROGRAM AT THE I.R.A. CONFERENCE MAY 2 AND 3, 2006.


I am deeply troubled by the response and position that SRA/McGraw Hill has made public through their two spokespersons, Tom Stanton and John McHale.

Their official position is: “Patricia Polacco did not fulfill her contract to us, therefore her programs were cancelled” ”the company cancelled Polacco’s speaking engagements only after officials learned that she wasn’t willing to keep her remarks limited to the subjects covered in her contract””Patricia Polacco CHOSE not to honor her contract”

I CHOSE??? HOW COULD I CHOOSE NOT TO APPEAR WHEN MY CHOICE WAS TAKEN FROM ME BY SRA/McGRAW HILL’S CANCELATION? I WAS NOT GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO FULFILL THE CONTRACT. IT WAS CANCELLED OUT FROM UNDER ME!!!! SRA/McGRAW HILL MADE ALL OF THE CHOICES HERE! THEY EFFECTIVELY REMOVED ANY OF MY CHOICES WHEN THEY ACTED AND CANCELLED THE APPEARANCE.

I had agreed to do two of my well-known speeches. “The Heroes in My Life” and “Tales and Talk”. My corporation produces videos of both of these speeches. Within the content of both of these programs I make reference to the NCLB and it’s destructive and counterproductive force in American education today.

On April 11, 2006, after my staff was hounded for four months to furnish a complete written manuscript of my program, I finally contacted Buchannan and Associates by phone. It was only then that I was informed that it was “unacceptable” to include any and all references to the NCLB. I was told I could conduct my presentation as usual, but I had to exclude any and all remarks regarding the NCLB! When I registered disbelief at this even being suggested, the reply was…”our client is very sensitive to this material and does not want you to include this in your remarks”…Buchannan and Associates actually put this in WRITING and sent it to my office in an email! There is no way SRA/McGraw Hill can distance themselves from any of this and their blatant attempt to censor and alter specific references within the context of the two presentations that I contracted to perform.

As far as the SRA/McGraw Hill contract is concerned, obviously I signed it January of 2006. I have never disputed this. I am, however, ashamed to admit that I did not read this contract, nor do I have any memory of ever signing it. Especially in view of the fact that Buchannan and Associates was the ONLY entity that my staff was dealing with concerning the IRA appearance. They assumed, as did I, that Buchannan and Associates represented the IRA.

If this makes me a complete idiot…then I will take the heat on this. I sign a stack of documents every single day. In the interest of saving time, my assistant simply puts the stack of documents, letters, and missives in front of me, leafs through, exposing only the signature pages, points at the signature line, and I simply sign them period. I never see any of these contracts with the exception of only the signature page. I do them so quickly that I pay no attention…I just sign my name. Appearance contracts are usually so straight -forward and uncomplicated that they don’t warrant severe scrutiny…again, if this makes me a blithering, drooling idiot, I take the hit again.

From January 2006 on, the only communications that my staff received concerning the IRA was from Buchannan and Associates who represented “a client” that was never named, thus the confusion. Our conclusion was that Buchannan and Associates represented the IRA.

Speaking of the contract that SRA/McGraw Hill was good enough to furnish on the web, please review it carefully. It clearly shows that I agreed to do my two presentations – “Heroes in My Life” and “Tales and Talk”. It was never my intent to deviate from this in any way. Please examine the contract further and see if at any point within this contract it says that SRA/McGraw Hill reserves the right to approve of, alter, change or order exclusions of certain portions of the programs that I was to provide. YOU WILL NOTE THAT NO SUCH PROVISION OCCURS!! So, within the constraints of their own contract, SRA/McGraw Hill had no legal right, basis or authority to demand exclusions within my presentations.

Also , please note a paragraph that I completely overlooked and have SRA/McGraw Hill to thank for drawing my attention to it. The third paragraph down from the top of page two of the contract clearly stated “If SRA/MCGRAW Hill cancels the engagement sixty (60) days or less prior to the scheduled dates of the engagement, then the entire appearance fee will be due and payable”. I was cancelled on April 26th, 2006 at 3:18 PM.

McGRAW HILL, YOU OWE ME $5000.00!

SRA/McGraw Hill has also implied in various articles and responses that I had no intention of presenting the two programs agreed upon, but had, rather, taken it upon myself to present a completely different program that was to be exclusively my objections to the NCLB. This is a gross misrepresentation of the facts and a total fabrication. Their remarks only serve as a rather transparent attempt on the part of SRA/McGraw Hill to justify their outrageous position in taking action to force me to exclude any and all references to the NCLB within the two speeches that I had every intention of presenting at the I.R.A.

Another ridiculous assertion by SRA/McGraw Hill is: “Patricia Polacco was to be paid for her appearances, therefore making her an employee of SRA/McGraw Hill, which means that she is obliged to represent the views of our company”.

I am paid an appearance fee (look at the contract), NOT A SALARY. SRA/McGraw Hill would have sent me a 1099 form in January for tax purposes. A 1099 form is available only to INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS. The optimum word here is INDEPENDENT!! A VERY CLEAR DEFINITON RELIEVING ME OF ANY OBLIGATION TO EXPRESS SRA/McGRAW HILL’S VIEWS.

Oh, and here is the best of all SRA/McGRAW HILL ACCUSES ME OF “HAVING A POLITICAL AGENDA”


WHAT AGENDA??


It was not my agenda BUT SRA/McGRAW HILL’S POLITICAL AGENDA THAT HAS CREATED THIS ENTIRE MESS!

SRA/McGraw Hill publishes and sells the NCLB tests to our public schools. It is estimated that this is $1.4 billion dollar industry annually (as reported in the recent article in Publishers Weekly).

WHO DO YOU THINK HAS THE AGENDA HERE?

SRA/McGraw Hill is completely responsible for politicizing this entire situation by having the arrogance and audacity of taking issue and attempting to sensor portions of my two presentations, which, apparently flies in the face of their connection to the NCLB and their profit margin.

If I had not been approached by SRA/McGraw Hill and ORDERED to remove portions of my two presentations, I would have simply come to Chicago and given my presentations without incident. Teachers, Librarians, and Educators would have left the room with full hearts and gladdened spiritsthankful that they had chosen to become the heroes that they are. They would have left the event inspired, validated, and renewed. I believe with all of my heart that our Librarians, Teachers, and Educators are among the last heroes standing in our nation. It is their integrity, their fortitude and their generous and caring spirits that makes our children’s dreams soar. It is their fervent hope that all children succeed. Not one of them wants any child left behind!


The error of SRA/McGraw Hill’s position is this:

IT IS UNTENABLE.

WHERE IS THEIR HONOR?

WHERE IS THEIR HONESTY?

WHERE ARE THEIR ETHICS?

WHERE IS THEIR SENSE OF DECENCY?


It seems clear that their vested interest will not tolerate any discussion or disagreement with the NCLB. Could it be that if the NCLB Mandate is repealed and defeated, that it will have a profound and direct effect on their bottom line?

It matters not, how diligently SRA/McGraw Hill’s spin doctors, damage control wizards, computer trolling experts, and public relations gurus try to twist and rewrite the facts.

THE FACTS ARE INDISPUTABLE! THE FACTS REMAIN UNCHANGED!

SRA/McGraw Hill cancelled my presentations at the Chicago I.R.A. on May 2nd and 3rd, 2006 for one reason and one reason only to insure that no reference would be made, by me, concerning my opposition to the NCLB!

SRA/McGRAW HILL CHOSE TO OVER STEP BOUNDARIES AND DISPLAY THE MOST UNACCEPTABLE AND OUTRAGEOUS ARROGANCE! NOW IT APPEARS THAY HAVE GROSSLY UNDERESTIMATED THE POWER OF THE WORLD WIDE WEB AND ITS DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION BUT MOST OF ALL, THAY HAVE MADE THE TRAGIC ERROR OF UNDERESTIMATING THE POWER AND INTELLIGENCE OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATOR!!


The irony here is, that McGraw/Hill could have avoided all of the ramifications of THEIR actions by simply offering an apology and allowing me to perform as scheduled in Chicago. If they had, everyone would have walked away from this a winner. Shame on you McGraw Hill. Shame.

Patricia Polacco

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