For Paul Janeczko

Naomi Shihab Nye, helped out by Lynne Rae Perkins, remembers the recently departed Paul B. Janeczko. He will be missed.

 

 




For Paul Janeczko, who Changed the World






































We were set up to do a reading together in Portland, Maine once — HIS TOWN —
and the only attendee was a dog.
As we waited hopefully for an audience, a woman tied her large Golden Retriever
to the bookstore table
and asked us to watch it. She went off to browse.
Paul seemed horrified.
I said, "Paul, don't you have any FRIENDS? Isn't this where you LIVE?”
Usually, Paul laughed — not this time.
I insisted we read a few dog poems to the dog.
He was a good listener.

—Naomi Shihab Nye




Illustration © 2019 by Lynne Rae Perkins
Roger Sutton
Roger Sutton

Editor Emeritus Roger Sutton was editor in chief of The Horn Book, Inc., from 1996-2021. He was previously editor of The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books and a children's and young adult librarian. He received his MA in library science from the University of Chicago in 1982 and a BA from Pitzer College in 1978.

0 COMMENTS

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.
Fill out the form or Login / Register to comment:
(All fields required)

RELATED 

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing.

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?