Synopses & Reviews
In this inspiring true story, beloved artist Patricia Polacco conquers her fear of public speaking, allowing her to discover her remarkable voice. A wonderful companion to
Thank You, Mr. Falker and
The Art of Miss Chew, it celebrates the lifelong impact of a great teacher.
Speaking in front of an audience terrifies Trisha. Ending up in Mr. Waynes drama class is the last thing she wants! But Mr. Wayne gives her a backstage role painting scenery for the winter play. As she paints, she listens to the cast rehearse, memorizing their lines without even realizing it. Then, days before opening night, the lead actress suddenly moves away, and Trisha is the only other person who knows her part. Will the play have to be canceled? It wont be an easy roadwhen Trisha tries to recite the lines in front of the cast, nothing comes out! But Mr. Wayne wont let her give up, and with his coaching, Trisha is able to become one of his true masterpieces.
Review
"Polacco's inspiring story will touch children and teachers alike." - Booklist for The Junkyard Wonders
"Celebrates the extraordinary influence a teacher can have on her students." - School Library Journal for The Junkyard Wonders
Review
"The joy of artistic creation and the value of teachers who are willing to look outside the box come through clearly in the first-person narrative and Polacco's fluid illustrations."
Review
"Full of color and movement. . . . [Polacco's] first-person narration tells her tragedy and triumph in a very down-to-earth way, using the tone of the 11-year-old she was."
Review
"The moving memoir will resonate with any student who has struggled with reading and should also spark empathy among their classmates."
Review
"Heartwarming tribute. . . . Detailed representational paintings bring to life scenes that evoke both true sorrow and absolute joy."
Review
"In this heartfelt autobiographical picture book, Patricia Polacco pays tribute to her first art teacher, Miss Violet Chew."
Review
“In Polaccos world, children confront fears and solve problems with the help of loving adults, their exchanges captured with exceptional powers of observation. . . . Readers will feel the exhilaration of the standing ovation she receives and the warmth of Mr. Waynes praise. . . . Saddle shoes, stick-out skirts, and her English teachers brush cut all contribute to the period setting. Even the shyest readers may find themselves inspired.”
Review
“Like Polaccos Thank You, Mr. Falker and others, an inspiring tale made all the more so by its roots in life.”
Review
“Polacco has done it again! . . . Polaccos realistic, vibrant illustrations convey a range of emotions, especially her own, which vary from utter terror to extreme exuberance. She credits Mr. Wayne with enabling her to now speak to audiences of hundreds, sometimes thousands of people.”
Review
“Polaccos pencil and marker illustrations are expressive and immediate. . . . The depictions of Mr. T. and Mr. Wayne are particularly dynamic and even tender. . . . A lovely tribute to teachers and their life-changing impact on the author and countless other young people.”
Synopsis
After spending the summer with her artist grandmother, Trisha knows she wants to be an artist, too. She's thrilled when her sketches get her into Miss Chew's special art class at the high school. A substitute teacher tells her she's wasting time on art when she should be studying - but fortunately, this is one battle that Miss Chew and Trisha are up for!
This true story shows just how important a teacher can be in a child's life - and celebrates the power of art itself.
About the Author
Patricia Polacco (www.patriciapolacco.com) is the prolific author and illustrator of ninety picture books. From the earliest days of her publishing career an enthusiastic and spirited speaker, she has visited over one hundred classrooms each year, not only speaking but listening to the hundreds of children that she meets. How she learned to speak in front of an audience may well be her most important personal story. She lives in Union City, Michigan, where she is not shy about speaking to the myriad children who come to visit her and the famous meteor, the object of one of Patricias best-known stories.