From: Ya-Ling Lu <yllu>
Date: Thu, 30 Sep 1999 23:22:04 -0700 (PDT)

Dear All,
        Most thanks for the help and suggestions from you. As some people are curious about why I am asking such a favor from you and how many materials I have obtained up to now, I feel it necessary to make a brief report here.
        I was a school teacher in Taiwan, but am now a graduate student in the States. About 10 days ago, you must have known it already, a devastating earthquake struck there. The strongest earthquake there in this century, within seconds, it has smashed the lives of thousands of children. Some were buried forever; some woke up to find themselves amputated or orphaned; some found that their beloved brothers or sisters or friends were gone for good; some kids of one family had to face the fact of being adopted by different families respectively; some slept or stayed indoors no more; some smiled no more. It was reported that fears and stress haunted them and that various therapies, physical or psychological, are needed.
        As a previous teacher and librarian-to?, I know very well how much we adults can do for children in every possible way. What has been on my mind these days is the idea of making a book list about how children cope with natural disasters (especially earthquakes) and how they (or how they are helped to) overcome the emotional disorders. This is not supposed to be bibliotheraphy, but it could be if some psychiatrists are consulted when reading the books/stories to children in a special need. I know there was also a big quake in Los Angeles years ago. I am sure there must be some children's books published on that after it. However, unfortunately, I didn't find much. That's why I was, and am again, asking for your help and calling for your attention-in case you know any of such books, please do let me know. To avoid duplication (and perhaps it will remind you of some other materials), I am listing the few readings I have got in the end. This is going to be a long term task. Please keep contacting me whenever some relevant book hits you. Great thanks again!!

Phoenix Rising (by Karen Hesse) Mick Harte Was Here (by Barbara Park) Fig Pudding (by Ralph Fletcher) Flying Solo (by Ralph Fletcher) Whirligig (by Paul Fleishman) Izzy Willy Nilly (by Cynthia Voigt)

(ps. I haven't really read all of the books yet. Maybe not all of them are doing with natural disasters, but it could be a clue to getting more.)

Sincerely, Ya-Ling Lu yllu at wahoo.sjsu.edu
Received on Fri 01 Oct 1999 01:22:04 AM CDT