Classroom Spotlight: Dreaming with Peter H. Reynolds

Fourth Graders from the Rectory School in Pomfret, CT, recently spent a day with Peter H. Reynolds in his bookstore, The Blue Bunny. The following post was written by Maria Carpenter

Connecting our students with experts that extend their learning, and broaden their experience is a goal that we strive for, each day at Rectory School. On Friday, April 6th, Melissa Zahansky and I had the distinct pleasure of accompanying our grade four students to visit the children's book author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds in his bookstore, The Blue Bunny in Dedham, MA. The K-4 community used Peter's books to create art experiences for the children to explore for our school's first ever MELP, Jr. ES Artists in Residence. We knew that we were in for a treat, but as we left the bookstore that morning, we all felt that we had just participated in a once in a lifetime kind of experience! Peter H. (for Hamilton) Reynolds is an extraordinarily kind, creative and generous human being!

Peter grew up in Dedham, MA and told the children stories of how he always loved to collect words and draw, ever since he was a child. He has a twin brother, Paul, who is his friend and creative partner at FableVision Learning, a company located above the Children's Museum in Boston, MA. FableVision Learning provides support for educators around the world to nurture the 4 C's (plus 1): creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking - and compassion both in and out of the classroom. We heard detailed stories about Peter's own creative process, and he encouraged our children to collect words that are interesting to them, as well as their dreams and ideas in a journal.

We heard about the real girl who entered the book store one day selling carnations for her school, named Vashti, who quietly watched Peter sketch over his shoulder. She became the lead character in his award winning book, The Dot, which has received many honors, is translated into several languages, and has even traveled to the space station! The Dot reminds us all to "Make your mark, and see where it takes you."

Giving our students the opportunity to dream about the journeys that they may strive for in their lives is of great importance to all of us at Rectory School. Our morning with Peter, will linger in our minds for a long time. He taught us about goodness, reaching out to those around us who need a helping hand, and being our best selves. Thanks Peter, for being such a light for our students... and creating such magical picture books that make the world a more compassionate place!

These are the memories that our Grade 4 students would like to share about their visit:

• "I have never had an author read a book to me! I loved when he read The Word Collector!"  ~ Ashley

• "I loved when Peter Reynolds was talking about my future... maybe he will be right, and I will work in the White House!"  ~ Alexandra

• "I liked it when Peter Reynolds found out I was a good speller and loved words. He offered me a job when I get out of college... the funny thing is, he was serious!"  ~ Lilah

• "I loved that he listened to our ideas when he was drawing a picture of Vashti."  ~ Isabel

• "I liked it when he asked us to think about what the world needs more of or less of, so he could get ideas for his next book."  ~ Sean

• "I loved hearing him talk about himself. You don't get to hear an author do that everyday!"  ~ Anson

• "I love seeing The Dot book that actually went into space, and hearing the story about how the commander called him from the space station!"  ~ Peter

• "I like that he always has a twist that gets fixed in his books."  ~ William

HUTCH Magazine NOW Accepting Submissions

What Is HUTCH?

HUTCH is a kids’ literary and creativity magazine, published semi-annually under the direction of Peter H. Reynolds, with the help of The Blue Bunny Bookstore, and his non-profit foundation, The Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning, and Creativity.

The magazine is seeking student submissions. Submission details can be found, here. Deadline is Oct. 15. 

The magazine features stories, art, poetry, book reviews, travel logs and interviews submitted by students. The first issue of HUTCH was published in June of 2008.  

Each Spring and Fall, The Blue Bunny invites children ages 5-12 to submit art, poetry, stories, book reviews, photos and other journalistic pieces for consideration.  Each issue starts with a central theme, and all submissions are requested to be focused toward positive values.  

The magazine is produced with help from a volunteer editing staff and The Reynolds Center, where the layout and design is enhanced with original illustrations and art direction by Peter H. Reynolds. The 40-page magazine is published in a high-gloss professionally-printed format, and is also available as a online download.

Every new issue is welcomed with a publication party at The Blue Bunny Bookstore, where all of the children who have contributed can celebrate with their families.  Every child whose submission is accepted receives an invitation to the party, along with a free copy of the magazine and a certificate.  Peter always addresses the group of children with a encouraging speech and a crowd-pleasing countdown as he opens the box of freshly printed magazines.  After the magazines are distributed, a group photo in front of the Blue Bunny Bookstore has been a tradition. 

All children in grades K-6 are invited to submit their creative work for consideration for publication.  Printed copies of the magazine may be ordered online or through The Blue Bunny Bookstore by calling the store directly at 781-493-6568.  Printed copies may also be purchased in store at 577 High St, in Dedham, MA.

HUTCH Mission:

HUTCH magazine provides a validating forum for young learners to share their ideas and focus on positive values. HUTCH is an accessible resource for child educators wishing to encourage meaningful learning through the unique experience of being published. 

How to Submit:

If you have interest in having kids published in an actual magazine (for kids) this is your chance! Email nrothmarsh@yahoo.com if you're interested

Next Issue (19):

The suggested theme for the next issue is: "I Was Brave, I Am Brave, I Will Be Brave!"
The deadline for submissions is Oct. 15, 2017. 

Issue 19 will be released in December.

Resources & Reviews: "Happy Dreamer" At Your Local Bookstore Today!

FableVision founder and New York Times best-selling author/illustrator, Peter H. Reynolds, believes in self-expression and staying true to oneself. In his newly released book, Happy Dreamer, - out today - Peter celebrates what it means to be a dreamer.

“I wrote Happy Dreamer for kids (and grown up kids) like me,” he said in a recent blog post. “This really is my story. A peek inside my mind to share how my brain works in its own wild and wonderful way… I wanted to send out a hopeful message that kids who are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD that they have a gift, not a label. That their minds are very special. That they are "delightful dreamers." Their brains are capable of being flexible, generous, nimble, and inventive. Their kind of thinking is to be understood, nurtured, accommodated and CELEBRATED!

As the book hits the shelves of your independent bookstore, we’ve collected a few resources and reviews for you to check out:

- Matthew Winner’s “All The Wonders” Podcast -

- Scholastic Reads: Amazing, Delightful, Happy Dreamer -

- Nerdy Book Club: You Have A Gift, Not A Label by Peter H. Reynolds - 

- Publishers Weekly: Happy Dreamer -

- FableVision Learning Blog Post: Peek Inside the Mind of Peter H. Reynolds with his Latest Book Happy Dreamer! - 

- KidLitTV YouTube Video: StoryMakers | Peter H. Reynolds -

- Book Trailer from Scholastic: Happy Dreamer by Peter H. Reynolds - 

**Are you interested in becoming a Happy Dreamer? Hop on over to The Blue Bunny Toys & Books in Dedham Square or check out your local bookstores. HAPPY DREAMING!

Peek Inside the Mind of Peter H. Reynolds with his Latest Book Happy Dreamer!

The following post was written by New York Times bestselling author/illustrator and FableVision founder, Peter H. Reynolds. His new book Happy Dreamer will be released on March 28, 2017. You can pre-order the book through the Blue Bunny bookstore, here. 

My book, Happy Dreamer was originally called Amazing, Delightful, Happy Dreamer. And yes, the initials do spell: ADHD.
The first spark of the book ideas were inspired while attending a learning difference conference at Harvard University where successful CEOs shared their challenging learning journeys in school, making it clear that their achievements were made because of their brains, not in spite of them. It was pointed out by the panel host that this group had all described attributes of ADHD as children. Those attributes sounded very familiar to me.
I thought for a moment, "I wish ADHD sounded like something you'd WANT to have!"

I took a pencil and wrote...
Amazing...
Delightful...
Happy...
Dreamer.

I went home and wrote a poem by the same name and that poem ultimately became this book.

HAPPY DREAMER

I wrote Happy Dreamer for kids (and grown up kids) like me. This really is my story. A peek inside my mind to share how my brain works in its own wild and wonderful way.
It wasn't always easy having a brain like mine though. While I was never officially diagnosed with ADHD (it was a term that would not be used widely until a decade after I was in elementary school) I do believe that as a child I had experienced many of its symptoms.
I wanted to send out a hopeful message that kids who are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD that they have a gift, not a label. That their minds are very special. That they are "delightful dreamers." Their brains are capable of being flexible, generous, nimble, and inventive. Their kind of thinking is to be understood, nurtured, accommodated and CELEBRATED!
Growing up, I was dreamer. A day dreamer. Night dreamer. I had a super-charged imagination which kept my brain very, very busy. SO many ideas which was probably the impetus for me grabbing a pencil and starting to capture these thoughts and images on paper with words and art. Outside of school, it really wasn't a problem. I grew up in a big family. Seven people roaming the house doing chores, hobbies, but at night we would gather together at the dinner table to share stories. It was a busy, noisy house and I loved it that way. All the energy and buzz. In school, however, it was a different story. I found it a bit of a shock to stay put in one chair for most of the day. Learning to focus on the lessons were sometimes a big challenge for me. I was not encouraged to capture any of my racing thoughts on paper. I was in fact, discouraged from doing it.
"All eyes up front."
"Mr. Reynolds, do not draw in my class. You can do that after school."
"This is math class. Not art class. Put that away."
I was an agreeable, friendly kid eager to please, so I did my best to comply and control my buzzy-brain. It was not always easy. Every so often, I found a teacher or an activity that tapped into that special brain of mine and WHOAH! Like my 7th grade math teacher who asked me if I could teach math by using art, story and animation. It was magic. I was in my element. It was an AMAZING feeling. Happy. Delighted. My Dreamer brain was engaged—and I was ME.
I hope this book speaks to you, your family and friends. May it reassure you that good things are ahead for all us dreamers.
And in fact, I do believe that if we are to solve some of the planet's biggest problems—we can't keep trying the same solutions. We must invite inventive, flexible minds to the table. World problem solving aside—if this book encourages my readers to simply be happy with themselves, then I'll sleep—and dream— better at night.

PHR

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In the Boston area? Join us for Happy Dreamer book release party at the Blue Bunny Books & Toys, on Saturday, April 1, 11-1 p.m, located at 577 High St, Dedham, MA 02026. For more information, click here.

For inspiration on how to bring Happy Dreamer into your classroom, check out the Happy Dreamer Classroom Kit.