Tell Your Teacher Friends

I had a great visit last month with a bunch of third graders. I took a stack of picture books with me and talked to them about writing picture books. I showed them my picture book, Some Secrets Hurt, and told them about getting it published. We talked about the elements of a good story.

I read Grudge Rock to them. That’s one of my orphan manuscripts. (Hasn’t been adopted yet.) They were awesome. After we talked about the story, I asked them to help me illustrate it. Here are some of their pictures.




Aren’t these pictures awesome! The first one shows Walker at the drinking fountain noticing that his pebble has grown. In the second one Walker pretends to barf behind Jake the Snake's back. The third picture shows Walker avoiding Jake on his way home. His backpack is killing him. Wonder why?

Besides writing, we also talked about grudges, hurt feelings, getting along, kindness. Good stuff.

I love school visits. Tell all your teacher friends. Who knows, when Grudge Rock gets adopted maybe these pictures will be worth something.

Linda Garner

Teach-er (noun) There is no greater word.

I just bought a t-shirt with that message on it. It’s got some bling on it—sparkly apples—one gold, one red. I thought it would be fun to wear. I needed a long sleeved shirt, and it was on clearance. Just my size. I didn’t think much about the message—not at first.

No greater word—so true. I am thankful for the teachers in my life. In many ways, I am a product of their work. They taught me diligence and respect. They taught me to love my country. They taught me to share.

No greater word—parents, my first and last teachers. In many ways I am a product of their example. They taught me obedience. They taught me excellence. They taught me that family comes first. They taught me that I am daughter of God.

No greater word—friends, old and new. In many ways I am a product of their touch. They have taught me to laugh. They have taught me to be myself. They have taught me to find joy. They have taught me to expect miracles.

No greater word—Jesus, the master teacher. In many ways I am a product of his love. He has taught me to serve. He has taught me to give. He has taught me to trust. He has taught me to love. He has opened my heart. He has given me a reason to live.

Today with thankful heart, I celebrate the teachers in my life. What wondrous gifts they have given. When I grow up, I want to be just like them.

Teach-er (noun) There is no greater word.

Linda Garner

Studio 5: Can you believe it?

Can you believe it? I am going to be on Studio 5. One week from today on September 15 at 11:00, I will be on the air. Have you seen Studio 5? It’s a neat show with lots of features about current trends and new ideas. I am so excited to be able to share Some Secrets Hurt on such a great show. Spread the word.

Am I nervous? That’s what everyone wants to know. Should I be? I am not the least bit nervous about my message. I love talking to people about Some Secrets Hurt. I love talking about protecting kids and empowering them to take control of their own bodies. I love giving parents tools so that they can talk to their kids about sexual abuse. I love getting teachers and other adults on board. Keeping kids safe is everyone’s job. I envision a caring community that is committed to kids and works together to protect them.

So, I think I’m not nervous. On the other hand, though, I am a little bit OCD about what to wear. Does this make me look fat? Is this color good on me? Should I wear dressy or casual? I have been spending a lot of time (and money) at Christopher Banks, my favorite store, and I have been experimenting with my hair and makeup. I changed to brown mascara like that Dressing Your Truth lady said I should, and I tried some of her very expensive products, so that I could look good.

I know that this is not about me, or my clothes and hair; it’s about the message. I just want to be a good messenger.

This is not my message; this is Heavenly Father’s message. He wants Some Secrets Hurt in every home where it can make a difference. He wants adults everywhere to teach kids about the sacredness of their bodies. He wants them to be able to stand up for themselves. He wants us to teach them how to say no. He wants us to stop abuse from happening so that his kids can heal. He wants us to stop the epidemic and be part of the solution. He wants us to reach out to teenagers who are at risk, and to wounded adults who don’t know how to heal.

I am honored to be a voice for children. I am not afraid to talk about sexual abuse. I am not nervous about teaching truth. I am excited to represent kids on T.V. I just want to look good, so that I can represent them well.

Hey, what are you doing later today? How about coming over and helping me figure out what to wear? We could experiment with my hair, and you could tell me if my new makeup looks orange. We could even talk about making a difference for kids.

Be sure to watch Studio 5 next Tuesday at 11:00 on KSL. If you can’t watch it, maybe you can record it. There is strength in numbers. Though we won’t be in the same room, I’m sure I’ll feel your strength. Together, we can make a difference.

Linda Garner

Hot Off the Press

Some Secrets Hurt is hot off the press. Though it will not be released until September, the printing is done and the copies are beautiful. I can't wait for it to be in the hands of children everywhere where it can make a difference.

Here are some photos of my grandkids looking at Some Secrets Hurt. Kids are the reason I wrote Some Secrets Hurt. I wrote it to keep them safe.

Some Secrets Hurt is not just for girls and it is not just for small children. It is for boys and girls of all ages.

Some Secrets Hurt is a great tool for parents, teachers, aunts, uncles, friends, neighbors, and anyone who cares about kids. We all want to keep kids safe, but aren't always sure how to make it happen.

I'm excited for you to see it too. If you can't wait until September to get your copy, I have great news. There will be an early release at BYU Education Week in August. That's right, you can get a copy at BYU Bookstore during the week of August 17-21. Brandilyn and I will be available sometime during the week to sign your copy. We'd love to see you there. Watch the blog for details. Tell your friends.

See you there.

Linda Garner

For the Children

I just returned from a wonderful adventure in music. I attended a 5 day Piano Basics workshop in not-so-sunny California. The company was warm and sweet, the instruction was incredible, and the children were delightful. I had the opportunity to observe many children being taught by incredible Japanese Teachers. We do not share the language of words, but we share the language of music and the language of the heart.

My love for children, my love for music, and my love for writing came together for a time as I found myself writing poems for the children. I will share some of them with you. I hope that you will enjoy them. I will post the rest tomorrow. Feel free to come back for more.

Audrey

Almond eyes.
Cheeks of pink.
Silky hair; black and sleek.
Her smile lights up her face.
Tiny girl with large heart
and magic fingers.
Her music
makes me
Smile.


Lauren

Lovely Lauren.
Dark eyed beauty.
Her fingers fly.
Her body sways
gracefully.
Her music makes
my heart sing.
Her smile makes
my heart dance.
Lovely Lauren.


Quinn

Handsome Quinn
With eyes so bright
listens carefully to teacher
and follows her lead.
Fingers hug keys
and make the piano sing.
She asks; he responds.


Eliza

Fingers dancing.
Music swirling,
swishing, sailing;
filling the air
with joyous melody
and sweet harmony.
Beautiful sound.
Beautiful heart.
Beautiful girl.


Andrew

Courageous, yet tender.
Caring, but strong.
Sharing your music.
Sharing your song.

Can you play with one hand
starting anywhere?
Can you touch, then take?
You can.
I know you can.
Change isn’t easy,
but worth it.
You are in charge.


Hans

Beethoven’s music
coming from your fingers
warms my heart
and makes me think
happy thoughts.
May you always have
A heart like his.


Jacob

Jacob handsome, Jacob tall.
Your long arms and strong fingers
coax gentle music from
the silent keys.
You are powerful.
You are the master.
Obedient fingers
are your servants.


Zachary

Your fingers dance
to Beethoven’s song,
and make me want
to run and play,
to laugh with you
and share your smile.
Share your music
and your smile
often,
so that others
will laugh and smile
with you.


Ashley

I am so glad
you have become
friends with Bach.
He is my friend, too.
As you share his music
with me,
I feel close to you,
and want to be
your friend.


Ethan

Handsome Ethan.
Small brown boy.
Small brown hands.
Big eyes.
Big heart.
Fingers must move
so the sound
you make
will be as big
as your eyes,
and as big
as your heart.


Rachel

Rachel with the sparkling eyes,
How your sound sparkles today.
Above the keyboard is a magic
place for your clever fingers.
In this magic place
moving fingers sparkle like mad.
You can choose this magic,
Always.


Hannah

Your graceful fingers dance
a graceful melody,
which floats through the air
like a gentle thought
or a warm sweet memory.


Erika

Your music
warms my heart.
You can make
a difference
with your music.
Share a song
with someone
who needs it.
How about today?


Natalie

Your dancing fingers
make my eyes smile.
Your smiling fingers
make my feet dance.
Your laughing fingers
make me sing.
Your happy music
cheers me.
Keep smiling with
your clever fingers.


Connor

Your strong hands
and confident fingers
are gifts to share.
Practice well
so that your gift
will always be
as bright as your smile.


Alijah

You are a queen
inside and out.
Always remember
who you are.
Sit like a queen
and play with
a beautiful hand.
like royalty;
Because you are.


Dylan

Your clever fingers
play with spirit
like the song,
Spiritoso;
with spirit.
Your music is
a gift to share.
Share your spirit
and your music,
Often.

More tomorrow.
Linda Garner

The Magic of Reading

This week I had the privilege of sitting down and talking to the teacher of one of my children. During the process, she handed me a book to take home for my toddler to read. Ha, ha, I thought, like my toddler is going to read a book. After he read the book without my help, I threw open my front door and burst into joyful singing. Okay, well, not quite that dramatic, but I did laugh myself silly. My toddler can read. He just blew me away again tonight by reading his second book without my help. (Without help! Yikes)

But there are kids I do help. Once a week, I have the opportunity of helping elementary school children read. I am always surprised at the wide range of abilities the children have. Some are struggling with the first lists of words, while others are flying though the lists as though they have been reading for years.

I was not so lucky to be one of those speedy readers. When I was a teenager, I would sit at my desk in school, praying for the bell to ring so I wouldn’t have to read out loud to my class. I can not tell you how terrifying that was for me, waiting, as one by one, my peers read out loud inching closer to me.

No, I did not have dyslexia nor did I stutter. My head just wouldn’t get on track with my mouth. Long story.

Then I stumbled across a book, by accident mind you. My brother’s were always quoting, The Jabberwocky, by Lewis Carroll. That’s when I found Alice in Wonderland. A magical world was opened up to me. A world that was so bizarre, I gobbled it up. This lead to other worlds with each new book I picked up.

Now I am writing the worlds, making up the characters. * dramatic pause * And it all started with the magic of reading (please read with a sigh).

I cannot tell you how pleased I am to see my child start out at such a young age with the magic of reading that took me years to appreciate.

It makes me want to explode in chorus (yes, sing along with me):

“Twinkle, twinkle little bat,
How I wonder what you’re at!
Up above the world you fly,
Like a tea-tray in the sky,
Twinkle twinkle—”
Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll – sung by the Dormouse at the Mad Hatter’s tea-party.

Oh, Lewis Carroll, if you could see me now! Next week I will be performing a tap dance. Bring your cameras.

I will be posting on Friday next week, since Thursday is Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! Hohoho.