BOOK DESCRIPTION
Story: Samantha loves Irish dancing, wigs, costumes, and all! She is ready for the school talent show. Her catchy enthusiasm motivates her friend, Lola, to learn a step or two. “One step at a time” Lola learns more and more.
Little does she know that Samantha has a Saint Patrick’s Day surprise in store!
Non-fiction: An overview of the history and celebration of St. Patrick’s Day with interesting and colorful photographs.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Having lived in Boston for many years, the celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day was something I embraced and enjoyed with my many Irish friends. I used to joke with them (first generation immigrants) about accents… saying that highly educated people have accents in a language other than their mother tongue. But of course I also had Irish friends of second, third and fourth generation –with only Bostonian accents- who celebrated with enthusiasm that day.
Later, when I met the extended family of Alma Flor I had the joy of sharing the life experiences of her grandchildren, and Samantha, inspired us to write this book. We had the opportunity to see her dance in various cities throughout the United States. Her enthusiasm, the quality of her performance, and the exciting experience of seeing so many girls participating in these Feshes, as Irish dance meets are called, were wonderful support at the time of writing this book. It is easier, and more meaningful to write, about things one has experienced or knows well.
Since I am one of the two authors of this book, I can share my side of the story. You can visit www.isabelcampoy.com to read what the other author has to say.
Many readers are intrigued about how two authors collaborate to write a book. If you share this curiosity you may enjoy reading how I explain this experience in the chapter entitled “Writing in Collaboration: One plus One is One or Two” in the book Alma Flor Ada and You, volume II published by Libraries Unlimited.