Back at Orchard Park
Dear Friends of the Flying Donkey,
On one of the last days of the school year I read for 6 (yes 6) 3rd Grade classes at Orchard Park Elementary. It was some big fun. Teachers paired up their classes for 3 readings and each reading was unique in its own way. The kids in the first reading (Ms. Haas and Ms. Thies classes) were really supportive and very thoughtful. They focused on telling me ways they (and some of their family members) were connected to some of the things in the story of "When Donkeys Fly".
Ms. Babinchak and Ms. Martinez's students were full of great questions. It seemed that there were a few aspiring authors in the group so they were very interested in the process and very serious about getting me to sign stuff afterwards.. a part of this whole author gig which still makes me laugh.
Ms. Oparah and Ms. Warren's class had a slightly different agenda. One boy in particular was pretty focused on taking me down 
When I finished reading the book, he promptly asked, "Are you really saying that I can do anything? Anything in the world". "Yes sir, I am", I answered. "Well, I can't jump off of the Empire State Building can I?" "Do you really want to?" I responded. "Well there is no way I can", he shot back. For a moment I panicked. A headline flashed before me. "Local Author Encourages Kids to Jump Off Buildings. What to say? What to say? What to say? It was going to take some divine inspiration to get me through this one. Thank goodness it came, right in the nick of time. "Well, if you don't think it is possible to jump off the Empire State Building, you never will. If you are open to the possibility that it is possible, you will find a way to make it happen... and happen safely. You will invent a suit that will keep you from being injured that is equipped with a rocket backpack and a parachute so you can follow your dream without getting hurt. If you continue to think that jumping off of the Empire State Building is not possible and convince everyone else in the world that it isn't possible, no one will ever invent the Empire State Building Jump Suit" The class was quiet. Their wheels were turning. As the kids beamed with possibly, I quietly sighed with relief... and gratitude.
When I finished reading the book, he promptly asked, "Are you really saying that I can do anything? Anything in the world". "Yes sir, I am", I answered. "Well, I can't jump off of the Empire State Building can I?" "Do you really want to?" I responded. "Well there is no way I can", he shot back. For a moment I panicked. A headline flashed before me. "Local Author Encourages Kids to Jump Off Buildings. What to say? What to say? What to say? It was going to take some divine inspiration to get me through this one. Thank goodness it came, right in the nick of time. "Well, if you don't think it is possible to jump off the Empire State Building, you never will. If you are open to the possibility that it is possible, you will find a way to make it happen... and happen safely. You will invent a suit that will keep you from being injured that is equipped with a rocket backpack and a parachute so you can follow your dream without getting hurt. If you continue to think that jumping off of the Empire State Building is not possible and convince everyone else in the world that it isn't possible, no one will ever invent the Empire State Building Jump Suit" The class was quiet. Their wheels were turning. As the kids beamed with possibly, I quietly sighed with relief... and gratitude.
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