A story about a young man who read to young patients who are critically ill spread quickly on social media last month. If you missed this story, here is the link:
https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/01/08/hospital-worker-who-reads-to-children-fighting-for-life-seeks-book-donations/?utm_campaign=true_anthem&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=social&fbclid=IwAR0OAieJ75sFB2wQa_sA2_JaZP6iBYMBFKVjjKsAQoYgu0dAEUwVq-oaWjA
Dane Pratt reads to kids to soothe them and to let them know that they are not alone in Mercy One Hospital in Des Moines. He reads a little extra to a 13 month old patient named Parker who is on life support after contracting two viruses similar to RSV. Parker was a preemie, so her lungs are already challenged.
Dane checks books out of the library himself, but he needs books to read to the kids. I decided to send him GRADY GETS GLASSES, because most kids enjoy rabbits and rhymes! I did not expect to receive a special thank you note for my donation, but one arrived in the mail a few days ago.
If you’d like to donate new or gently used children’s books, please send them to:
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center
1111 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50314
1111 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50314
In addition, a GoFundMe page has been set up to support Parker and her family.
A man like Dane shares so much with others, he certainly must internalize some of that happiness. Here's to Dane - what a guy!
As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.
Rittman Publishing, LLC ®
Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school. if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with a group called Field Trip Zoom. www.Fieldtripzoom.com and a company called www.StreamableLearning.com GRADY GETS GLASSES was the winner of Best New Children's Book 2016 and 2018 (new edition) from The Authors' Zone.Grady also won a 2018 prestigious Moonbeam Award for Best Children's Book with Merchandise.
Visit Dede's webpage for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER. Many colleges have made the book required reading. Signed copies are available www.dederittman.com Dede is also a national speaker on The Three C's for Classroom success: Confidence, communication, and Creativity; Avoiding Teacher burnout; and many other inspirational topics.
I LOVE writing. And I love writing children's books- my newest passion. Although it will be a ton of work, I am looking forward to selling my books. Since I was a secondary teacher, I know that I have much to learn about elementary students, and I will have to follow my own advice and be my genuine self. However, I also know that I am passionate about helping kids who have to wear glasses, and that GRADY GETS GLASSES sends a positive message. I am willing to work hard and do all the things that also made me a successful teacher for 37 years. I remain inspired!
Elementary teachers in Western Pennsylvania and beyond - I am willing to come into your classroom in person or as a virtual field trip through a group called Field Trip Zoom. Check them out! http://www.fieldtripzoom.com/
Teacher friends- let me know if you want me to read GRADY GETS GLASSES at your school. I am willing to come in to discuss the creative writing process, why writing is important, and personal fulfillment through writing, along with reading my book. I would appreciate the exposure, and I would make signed copies available for purchase in your classrooms following the reading. Please email me at dederittman@gmail.com The website www.gradygetsglasses.com now has plush Grady bunnies for sale!
Please like Dede's new page Grady Gets Glasses for updates about her children's book. https://www.facebook.com/gradygetsglasses?ref=hl
Connect with Dede!
Twitter @dederittman
Periscope @dederittman
Facebook Dede Faltot Rittman or Rittman Rules
LinkedIn Dede Rittman
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Instagram dede_rittman and Gradygetsglasses
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