We both decided to sign up for the seminar (Christy took it for credit--I audited). Most of the other people were children's librarians and teachers. We read most of his books (some of which I had read before, some I hadn't), heard a lot about Lloyd's life, and were treated to readings from the delightful and out-of-print Janine is French, about how he met his wife. I was taking a bookbinding class at the same time, so I made a link-stitch book with a pig on the front (copied from Eveline Ness's cover illustration of The Book of Three) and a matching clamshell box.
The day of Lloyd's visit, he spoke during the afternoon to a crowded concert hall full of elementary school children. He read from The Arkadians, his most recent book, and answered questions from the audience. I remember one boy asked, "What does Gurgi sound like?" and he replied, "Gurgi sounds like what you think he should sound like." In the evening he came to our class, visited with us and signed all our books. One lady handed him a book open to a specific passage and asked, "Could you read this for us?" It was a bit of Gurgi dialog. Lloyd looked stricken and everybody laughed. Dr. Tunnell said, "There was a boy this afternoon who asked what Gurgi sounded like." And the lady said, "I know! That was my son!" Lloyd did read it for us (I think it was a bit about smackings and whackings on his poor tender head), sounding properly pitiful and squeaky, and we all applauded.
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Several people had gifts for Lloyd, and I gave him the book and box I had made. He exclaimed over it for a while and gave me a kiss on the cheek (awww!).
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Best known for his Prydain Chronicles, Lloyd Alexander wrote nearly forty books, many of which feature cats and/or spunky redheads. He passed away May 17th at the age of 83, at home in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. His wife Janine died just two weeks ago. They were married for 62 years.
8 comments:
I didn't know he passed away. What a great memory you have of him...thank you for sharing it with us!
You are lucky to have met him! Wow, that must have been a real treat!
Wow, what a fabulous post for a wonderful man. Thanks.
I adore Gurgi. You get to meet all the great authors, I'm jealous!
I always assumed Gurgi sounded exactly like Grover from "Sesame Street."
Gosh, what a fabulous story. Thanks for sharing. (Here from your link at the Straight Dope, BTW.)
Wow, I didn't know he had passed away. What a great experience and I love that picture of you!!
Hi, Helena! Great memories. Thanks for all the fun read-alouds and book recs that semester, and for being my partner in crime during that wonderful class. What a blast. Even though Lloyd is gone, he's still my hero, and kid lit still rules the bookshelves in our house (well, my half of the shelves, anyway). Take care!
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