In April, I had the distinct honor of being invited by the Guam International Literacy Association to share my book, Guam: Return of the Songs, with twenty schools across the island. While I was excited to present my book, I was truly unprepared for the incredibly warm and artistic welcome that awaited me. It was a life-changing experience.
A Welcome in Art and Song
From the moment I arrived at each campus, I felt incredibly special. I was so honored by the focused attention and interest from the students during my presentations. At some schools, classes even sang for me, and I was deeply touched by how every student sang with genuine enthusiasm.
Most of the schools I visited created beautiful artwork to welcome me, and I was simply amazed by their creativity and effort.
A Gallery of Greetings
The care that went into the decorations was astounding. I’d love to share some of the amazing artwork from the students and teachers of Guam.
Some schools created beautiful, straightforward welcome signs with greetings in both English and the native CHamoru language. The precision and excellent spacing on the lettering were so impressive.
Other schools created elaborate wall art and banners, often featuring wonderful drawings from the students themselves, which I especially loved.
One school cleverly incorporated the covers of several of my books right onto their welcome sign. (Have you read any of these? )
The Ultimate Honor: Becoming a Character
Perhaps the most surprising welcome was when one school’s principal presented me with a custom illustration that transformed me into a book character holding Guam: Return of the Songs. It was so cool!
I left the island feeling so very welcomed by all the students and teachers. I hope by now you’ve figured out the beautiful CHamoru greeting seen in so many of the pictures!
The book that sparked this unforgettable journey is very close to my heart. You can discover the bilingual story that honors Guam’s history, language, and wildlife for yourself. Explore Guam: Return of the Songs on my website.