JC is thrilled that the Alzheimer Society of Prince Edward Island (ASPEI) chose to anchor its 2016-2017 education program in schools with “What My Grandma Means to Say,” JC’s play and storybook for children and families about Alzheimer’s disease.
With the province’s Department of Education and input from JC, ASPEI developed a resource kit for teachers which puts a copy of the book, plus JC’s Discussion Guide, into every elementary school in the Province. Here’s a link to the CBC’s report:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-alzheimer-students-education-book-1.3773649
“As I wrote in my op. ed. piece published by papers across Canada (go to the Archive table to read the article), I feel it’s essential for kids to be part of the discussion when Alzheimer’s affects someone they know and about whom they care. Understanding what they can and cannot hope for is one way to get at the fears this disease raises,” JC believes.
A number of Alzheimer Societies in Ontario incorporated “What My Grandma Means to Say” into their programming. With the new program launched on September 21, World Alzheimer’s Day, PEI’s Alzheimer Society is the first to take “What My Grandma Means to Say” province-wide.
“I look very forward to whatever feedback comes my way from the use of this story and play in schools. I know that having an open and safe environment to talk about Alzheimer’s can really build awareness and dispel myths, without sugarcoating what people living with the disease face.”
JC’s THE MAGNOLIA THIEF at the Puppets Up! International Festival in Almonte this weekend
The Puppets Up! International Festival returns to Almonte today through August 14, and JC’s story plays a part in it.
Students from Almonte schools under Jenny Sheffield’s direction will present THE MAGNOLIA THIEF along a tree-lined path, an “alameda,” at 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. JC narrates the voiceover.
“I am honoured that this year’s Festival is staging the premiere of THE MAGNOLIA THIEF, a very urban fairy tale. Having local students as the performers adds to the delight. My thanks go to the festival’s artistic director Noreen Young for this opportunity.”
Written for young children and families, THE MAGNOLIA THIEF was inspired by JC’s love for the tree in her backyard. “The Saucer Magnolia began as a shrub, a gift for Mothers’ Day when our children were small. It now measures about 40 by 40 feet. I wrote the story in rhyme as a way to honour the tree and acknowledge the pleasure its blossoms give us each spring.”
This year’s Festival lineup features performances by troupes and puppeteers from Ontario, Quebec, Indonesia, Iceland and the US, including The Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers, Tanglewood Marionettes and Joshua Holden. Over the weekend, there’s a Puppets Up! parade (on both Saturday and Sunday), plus street entertainment and a kids craft tent.
The festival’s complete program is at: www.puppetsup.com
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