Friendship Quilt
The Reading Partner Program of Eau Claire, WI works hard to develop creative ways to enhance reading experiences between university volunteers and children who participate in the program. This year alone more than 200 volunteers have been reading with more than 250 Eau Claire area students, most of whom are English Language Learning (ELL) students or face other learning challenges.

Last semester one of the program leaders, Lucianne Boardman, began a project with a small group of 6th grade ELL students called Literacy Leaders. The group talked about friendships in reading and decided to create a friendship quilt with squares autographed by some of their favorite children's book authors and illustrators. I was contacted by the group and invited to provide a square for their quilt:


The group sent letters of invitation and fabric squares to 120 authors and illustrators. The response has been amazing, with 101 autographed and/or illustrated squares returned to date. I had a chance to meet with Lucianne last week and got a sneak peek of the quilt. It is absolutely beautiful and will measure 6' X 16' when completed later this week. I was completely taken aback by the autographs and illustrations already sewn into it -- so many incredibly gifted authors and illustrators took time to participate, including such familiar names as Jane Yolen, Lois Lowry, Katherine Paterson, Jerry Spinelli, Mo Willems, Kevin Henkes and many, many more (hey, cynthialord, I saw your square! :))  I am so amazed and flattered to have my little square stitched among all these names:
 


The Literacy Leaders and Reading Partners will host a Friends in Reading Opening & Art Show from 6:00-7:30 p.m. on April 2 at the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center. The event will include a reader's theater performance by the Literacy Leaders, student art show, a book signing by local children's authors (including me! yippee!), and the friendship quilt on display. I can't wait for this event and will try to get some pictures of the quilt to share with all of you.