Instantly she switched from serious to joking. If I were queen, I'd install swings and rocking chairs so kids could move. She talked like that. Patricia Polacco's soul is beautiful. Her intentions magnificent.
Children are strong and fragile at once.
Spend time teaching them to respect each other, she said. Spend time telling them stories. Spend time reading to them. Her books are a good place to start. Jane P. Marshall is the Chronicle's features editor.