Note: to see all the lessons, click on the category: Making Big Things Happen

I bet thousands of people went into the bathroom of Big O’s on 4^th Avenue before it burned down.  But how many came out with an idea for a picture book?  To make big things happen, you have to have a big curiosity about the world.  Pay attention to what catches your attention.  So many students tell me they don’t know what to write about.  Write about what interests you.  What captures your attention?  When I went into the bathroom at Big O’s restaurant, I saw a framed postcard on the wall.  It said:  In 1897, one of Sweet’s most famous guests was Tillie the Terrible Swede, fastest bicyclist of her sex.”  Wow, I thought.  Who would have a name like Tillie the Terrible Swede.  I went home and looked her up on the internet.  There wasn’t much information, but I saw that I could send away for some back copies of “The Antique Wheelman” magazine to learn more.  So I did.  That was the beginning of the book we will talk about.  I feel so much richer for having learned about this woman.  But it all started with following my curiosity.

I’m a really curious person and I would encourage you to be curious, too.  Maybe you’re curious about how they make the beautiful cakes you see on TV.  Or maybe how to do a cross dribble in basketball.  The next step is to figure out who knows.  Can you go to the library to find out?  Can you ask your coach or your older brother?  Curiosity leads you to new questions and new answers.

What are you curious about?



Dear Students,

In two weeks, we will begin our journey and at some point during the third week in May, we will arrive at your school.  My purpose in making this ride is three-fold.  One, I want to make a book come alive for you!  Two, I want to tell you more about Tillie Anderson, the amazing athlete from the 1890s.  Finally, I want to talk to you about how to make things happen in your life.  These include smaller things like getting a bike to ride yourself, or larger things like going to college or writing a book.

Please do not ever doubt that you are capable of doing big and amazing things.  You are.  I am going to show you how over the next few weeks and I promise that if you follow my advice—at some point—magic will happen.

I won’t kid you that a lot of times magic doesn’t happen.  That’s where it gets tough.  But we’ll talk about how to handle that, too.  You always have another chance.  When things don’t work out the first time, they can work out the second or third or even the fourth time.

So over the next two weeks, I’ll be giving you some words to remember.  You can write them in your notebook or maybe on the board in your classroom.

On our first day, I want to introduce you to our mascot: Tillie the Terrible German Shepherd.  Tillie was returned to the Humane Society three times.  Last July, she came to live with us.  It’s her fourth home—her forever home.  She’s not a perfect dog.  But she’s perfectly Tillie.

Your word for today is BELIEVE.  Believe in the possibility of wonderful things happening.  I can’t wait to meet you!

This is Tillie before the wonderful things happened:

This is Tillie frolicking in the snow at our house: