The Renfrow Story

The last couple of weeks have been about changing gears from getting books sent to libraries to sharing the story of writing the book. I’ve done author talks at Davis School, the Mayflower Home retirement community, and the library. I’ll be doing much the same on April 10th at the Community Education Council’s “Bucket Course” (they record this so that one will eventually be available online). I was also able to share with the our Chamber Ambassadors, representatives of our amazing local businesses, and had a lot of fun chatting with them inside the beautiful Sullivan bank building. [Fun fact: it was built the same year Miss Edith was born.]

I’ve also done a couple of interviews that are available online. One was with our local radio station on their popular “Let’s Talk” program. It’s always fun to sit down with host Tim Dill and see where the conversation flows. You can listen to that interview here. The other interview was with a book blog call Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb. She covers a wide range of books on her site, posting several interviews a day. The process is interesting. After she’s had a chance to read your book, she sends you a series of questions and you submit the responses by email. I have no idea how widely her blog is read, but based on the number of interviews she posts every day she keeps busy and someone must be reading them. You can read that interview here.

The other fun thing about the last few weeks is that I am starting to hear from readers. I’ve gotten several notes and emails from librarians and individuals. My appointment for dental work was made better by my dentist telling me how much his 3 year old enjoys the book. He said, jokingly, that he wasn’t sure if he wanted to thank me or not because the book is quite a bit longer than most picture books – so bedtime was being extended! But it was heartwarming to hear that the story connected with even a child as young as 3 years old – and that his little one can now often be heard saying his own version of “no one is better than me”.

But the best responses have come from two of the kids from Davis School. This is the same school that Miss Edith attended through 6th grade. She was actually interviewed when the school turned 100 a few years back (she was 103 at the time!). You can watch the clip of her in that video here. [Miss Edith is the last speaker, starting at 12:35] Upper elementary age children like those at Davis are really the age I had in mind when I was putting the book together, so hearing from these kids has been very affirming.

One little boy who heard me at Davis enjoyed it so much he brought his grandma to hear me speak at the library a week later. We talked afterward and he was absolutely adorable as he shared how much he loves the book, how excited he is about history and what he learned from the book, and that he even skipped Taekwondo to come to this! It was very charming.

The other student is a little girl. She is one of only a few African American students in the school and she has connected with the story in a powerful way. I chatted with her a little bit when I was at Davis. She was sitting in the back row of her group and I noticed that she had the school copy of the book and was holding it with great pride and care. Afterwards, the librarians told me she has had it checked out since they got it. They mentioned they wanted to get her a copy of her own, so I immediately said I would gladly make that happen. So earlier this week I took a signed copy to Davis. I included a special note to her and a copy of the postcard announcement of the Renfrow Hall dedication that will happen in September.

I wasn’t there when she was given the book, but a couple of my friends were. They said she was giddy with excitement for having a copy of her very own. But it was her reaction to the postcard about the dedication that really brought home how meaningful this is to her. My friend said that when she learned Mrs. Renfow Smith was possibly going to be in town – that there might be a chance for her to see her in person! – this little girl was practically shaking with joy at the thought of it! She was worried she would lose that card (she may think it’s an ticket instead of just an announcement card) so the librarians helped her make an envelope for inside the back page of her book to hold it so it won’t get lost. She told them every time she goes by the building site she thinks about Miss Edith and how much knowing hew story makes a difference to her. She even said something about maybe she could go to Grinnell College too.

When I think of all of the reasons that compelled me to find a way to publish this book, there is none more important than this. The life story and wisdom of Edith Renfrow Smith is something that more children need to hear, especially children who feel like they are facing similar struggles that she so gracefully overcame. She is an inspiration to many people of all ages. But it’s the children who matter most.

And I know Miss Edith would say the same thing.

p.s. I’m still working on Chicago contacts. Disappointed that a couple I had high hopes for haven’t panned out yet. But trusting that the Edith magic will kick in when the time is right.