“There is nothing more powerful in the world than a good story” Tyrion Lannister GOT (Okay, so Tyrion was a fictional character in a fantasy world, but as in all great fiction, truth is told).
I am inspired to initiate yet another project. Right now I am juggling a few biggies, but this idea may tie in with my historical fiction middle grade novel series, Becoming America’s Stories. Besides, I do love hearing new stories. Children of all ages are invited to participate.
Introducing
Grand Prompts to Ask Your Grands
(or parents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, self, and so forth)
Ask your mother, cousins, uncles, teachers, neighbor’s grandmother a prompt. There are a few follow-up questions to help move the conversation along. Listen. Mind the nuances—the who’s, why’s, how’s of the story.
This week’s prompt honors the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire 110th Anniversary. The devastating disaster spurred the nation to address labor reform, workplace safety, and living wages. These issues have a contemporary ring to them.
The photograph depicts a family of bakers circa 1909, similar to that of the fictional characters in Daily Bread. Many children of the time worked in the family businesses at a very young age. Too many others spent their childhood in the bowels of mines, between moving parts of poorly maintained machines, or in the streets hawking newspapers, gum, or flowers.
Enjoy the conversations and stories.
Email me (storiesserved@gmail.com) or comment your impressions and progress.
Attention Teachers and Librarians
March is National Reading Month!
Schedule your virtual and live Book Club Events and Creative Writing Workshops.
Download FREE Curriculum Connections
If you had purchased a paperback or ebook Daily Bread and/or Becoming America’s Food Stories—Thank you!
Take a picture of you with Daily Bread and/or Becoming America’s Food Stories, and I’ll send you Reader’s Swag and add you to the Becoming America’s Stories Readers slideshow, coming soon! Kid pics are welcomed with parent or guardian permission. Don’t forget to leave a rating and quick comment on Amazon and/or Goodreads.
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Daily Bread is set in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, 1911. The story follows nine-year-old Lily, an American-born child of Sicilian immigrants, who wants to prove she is not a little kid. To be a big kid in the crowded tenement neighborhoods, she must tackle bigotry, bullies, disasters, dotty bakers, and learn to cross the street by herself.
Hope you are hungry. Becoming America’s Food Stories recalls the tales that have been told around my family’s dinner table. The histories explain the motivations over bowls of macaroni, antics play out while slurping soup, and laughter echoes throughout the dining room. Pull up a seat. There’s always room.
“If you don’t cook with love, you have to get out of the kitchen.” Florence Messina
Stories Served 
Hi, Antoinette – I always mean to ask my 90-year old mother more questions about her early history…and record the answers. For some reason, I never get around to doing this. But I do know her answers to all of the questions that you’ve asked in this post, so that made me feel slightly better!
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So you have been listening. That is good!
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