"Armando and the Blue Tarp School" Author Edith Fine Pays it Forward

Today is International Children's Book Day, as I learned from a discussion thread on the Informed Ideas for Writers Group on LinkedIn (have I mentioned how much I love LinkedIn?) So it's an ideal time to tout a favorite local children's author and her latest book, Armando and the Blue Tarp School. Edith Fine, along with co-author Judith Josephson, tells the true story of a school that started out on a blue tarp on the ground in the neighborhood next to the city dump in Tijuana. We experience the story through the eyes of a fictionalized boy named Armando, but the character of "Senor David," is the real David Lynch, who traveled to Tijuana in 1980, intending to spend a month helping the families of the colonia, and instead ended up staying for over 25 years. A portion of the proceeds from Armando and the Blue Tarp School go to Lynch's nonprofit organization, Responsibility, Inc. The accolades for the book have been steadily growing, including a Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year nod,  Picture Book Winner at the 2008 San Diego Book Awards and there is even a children's musical in the works based on Armando. The latest buzz is that Armando is a California Young Reader Medal Nominee, with awards to be given in May of 2010. Edith Fine is a tireless promoter of children's literacy and a generous contributor to the San Diego and North County community, as well as an all-around fun person to know. I had the pleasure of meeting her last year when I was Author Day coordinator at my daughter's school where she presented two very well-received assemblies. California teachers and librarians, please consider participating in the California Young Reader Medal voting with your students and introduce them to this wonderful author and story.