People Getting Ready, Including Me (And Some of them Are Already Up and At 'Em). @PGR_Books Build Your Community!

People and Pandemic both begin with P, as does POSSIBILITY, PURPOSE, and PASSION. I'm posting my thoughts today with a couple of ideas in mind, the first beginning with People Get Ready in New Haven, Connecticut. They share the passion of many teachers to get the best books into the hands of readers, and work full-heartedly at showcasing books that build community AND represent communities. They have the most diverse collection of books in southern Connecticut, a phenomenal layout (with artists on display), and a super knowledgeable & friendly staff. 

Yesterday, I rounded up my National Park Friend, Ranger Kristin, from Weir Farm National Historical Park, and she drove from Danbury so she can see what I was talking about. She said, "You were right. This is a pretty spectacular book store." I'm writing in part because I want all my CT teaching friends to go through PGR to order books for your schools. They are spectacular. 

It was like Christmas morning picking up Rachel Ignatofsky, Ann E. Burg, Trevor Noah, Cornelius Minor, Kwame Mbalia, Gene Luen Yang, etc. to deliver to educators across the state (I randomly looked for a few teachers with Go Fund Me pages and decided I wanted to surprise them with their requests). Delivery time! Nothing makes me happier than helping a teacher to fulfill a particular teaching goal with an intentional book!

I also came home to a text message that read, "Look. I have a bathroom hall pass this year," and had to laugh. It was one of the dolphins I handed out to my summer institute teachers with a random note that said, "There's no reason for this but I bought them bulk, and I thought, put 'em in the gift bags." Of course, they said, "Um, Crandall. I think these are sharks." 

Whatever. It's a keychain. You'll find a use for it.

And a bathroom pass use it shall be. Totally makes sense. "Miss, I need to shark." That's better than saying one has to 'shart.' (bad joke)

Now, today is a day to stay on the trajectory of the last two, getting things done and feeling a little more on top of the fall-semester game. 

Seriously, though. Anyone want to take a ride with me, I'd love to take you to People Get Ready. I think I've found a happy place for readers, thinkers, change-agents, and community lovers.

Such a wonderful store to have in the teaching family.

Ah, and, because we were in New Haven, we drove home through West Haven and at at The Dive Bar again. I had a pulled-chicken panini with mango & rum sauce. So good. Top notch sandwich. I feel like yesterday was a are win, so I want to celebrate it!