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Why novels? A high school story
Why do we read novels? For Terry Farish, the answer lies in the connections stories create. In this reflection from a high school visit, Terry shares a conversation with students about the power of fiction to build empathy, expand our understanding of others, and help us see the world through different perspectives.
Seeing Haiti through a young girl’s eyes
During a school visit, Terry Farish invited students to explore Haiti through the eyes of a young girl’s story. In this reflection, Terry shares how literature can open doors to new perspectives, spark meaningful conversations and help young readers build empathy for experiences beyond their own.
Immigrants, kids and flan
Here’s a Behind the Book essay about my picture book “Luis Paints the World.” The book is timely again. It’s a story about a big brother’s deployment to war through the eyes of his little brother who finds a way to mark the days.
How visiting authors can be part of welcoming diverse kids
How can visiting authors help create welcoming spaces for all students? In this reflection, Terry Farish explores the role authors and librarians can play in celebrating diverse voices, supporting English learners, and helping children feel seen through the power of stories.
Art lesson for ‘Joseph’s Big Ride’
Joseph’s wish finally comes true: he gets to ride a bike. At a school in Westbrook, Maine, students and art teachers brought that ride to life. They began by drawing their hands; connected together, the hands became the spokes of a bicycle wheel. The project became part of the Welcoming Library, helping new Americans and U.S.-born families meet each other through story.
‘I hope I will learn to dance a different dance I’ve never danced before’
The students at Broken Ground School learned Nepali, Bollywood, and hip-hop dances with Bhutanese dancer Pujan Wagley—and turned movement into poetry. As they danced, they wrote about feeling “happy,” “excited,” “silly,” “joyful,” and “floating.” Together, poetry and dance became a way to build friendships, imagine new possibilities and “learn to dance a different dance.”
A story from the house of extravagant colors
A chorus of thirty-five international students welcomes poet Juan Felipe Herrera to their classroom: “Welcome to our house of extravagant colors / in our classroom on Lake Street / which is for all of us a place of pause / on the road of our lives.” They sing, share stories and write poetry together as Herrera tells them, “Your voice is the natural and beautiful voice that everyone has.”
‘Joseph’s Big Ride’ in 3 languages at Broken Ground School
At Broken Ground School, “Joseph’s Big Ride” got a magnificent launch with families from around the world. Terry shared the story with colleagues from Bhutan and Rwanda, reading it in three languages: English, Nepali, and Kinyarwanda. With ice cream sundaes, a painted Joseph and Whoosh, and a gym full of families, a story written in English became something much bigger.
I love the novel any way I can
Why do stories stay with us long after we've turned the last page? In this thoughtful reflection, Terry Farish explores how reading helps us build empathy, expand our understanding of others, and discover the connections that unite us across different lives and experiences.