Sofia's Stoop Story: 18th Street, Brooklyn: June 2014

Friday, June 27, 2014

SCBWI July/August issue...

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

More photos from 18th Street, Brooklyn

Here are a few more....the neighbors, cousins, and a local principal. I was so happy that they all stopped by.

That Meetball Place and 18th Street Book signings

I've been home recuperating from emergency gallbladder surgery on Friday, June 13th. I feel very fortunate because I had heart failure symptoms. I'm just so grateful it was my gallbladder and not my heart. Well you don't want to read about this, but I'm sure you would like to see more photos from my last two signings.

They are: BIG Ralph from That Meetball Place and me; baby Lincoln on the stoop, his dad who's originally from Port Jefferson with me, and another adorable baby and her dad on 18th Street...

Monday, June 2, 2014

Signing on Uncle Frankie's Stoop...Jun1, 2014

Had a wonderful time reminiscing with my cousins on Uncle Frankie's stoop at 277-18th Street. Also saw some old neighbors and met new ones. I especially enjoyed meeting Lincoln and Abby, two adorable toddlers who stopped by with their fathers. I also met two lovely principals from local schools.

(more photos to follow)

Etched in Sand and Sofia's Stoop Story book signing....May 31, 2014

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Signing at Barnes & Noble with Regina Calcaterr, Etched in Sand is #4 on NYT list!

Yesterday, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Regina Calcaterra. We shared stories of our very different childhood memories and signed our books at Barnes & Noble in East Northport (thanks to Deborah Perham of a Lifetime Legacy). Regina truly is an amazing woman. Etched in Sand is now #4 on the NY Times list! Congratulations to Regina! This is a must read for all.

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On a stoop in Brooklyn, in the 1960s

Uncle Frankie begins telling Sofia and her cousins a story about the day he met one of his favorite Brooklyn Dodgers, Carl Furillo. Meanwhile, Sofia’s Nana is next door, preparing the Italian family’s Sunday dinner. Nana calls Sofia and sends her on errands to buy cheese, bread, and cannoli. Sofia returns to the stoop, only to discover that Uncle Frankie’s story is over, and it’s time to eat. When Uncle Frankie realizes Sofia is upset because she only heard bits and pieces of his story, he shares his historic tale from beginning to end, and he gives her a keepsake that he’s saved since 1947.

Maria LaPlaca Bohrer’s story reveals the 1960s, Brooklyn landscape through her own memories of Sunday dialogues with her Nana, her Uncle Frankie, and local merchants. She explores the warmth and consistency of intergenerational relationships in a typical, Italian- American family. Artistic team Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher capture the story’s colorful mix of memories and meatballs in vivid, collage-and-acrylic paintings.

Blue Marlin Publications
823 Aberdeen Road
West Bay Shore, NY 11706

Uncle Frankie and Me

I have had the privilege of educating children for the past 24 years. I have taught second grade, fourth grade, and remedial reading. I was also an adjunct professor of Literacy Acquisition and Children's Literature graduate and undergraduate courses for nine years. I love teaching! In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing, cooking , decorating cakes, and frying meatballs for my family. My husband and I love spending time with our children, Erica, Kurt, and Brett; and our witty grandson, Dylan.