Wednesday, May 25: And the People Stayed Home, Kitty O’Meara
On Zoom:
https://www.fortatkinsonclub.org/omeara
Kitty O’Meara lives and writes near Madison, Wisconsin. Her poems and essays have appeared in several publications and are often featured in her blog, the-daily-round.com.
Her children’s book, And the People Stayed Home (Tra Publishing, 2020; Illus. by Stefano Di Cristofaro and Paul Pereda), is a bestseller, and was named by Smithsonian Magazine as one of the Top Ten Children’s Books of 2020. A second picture book, The Rare, Tiny Flower (Tra Publishing, 2022; Illus. by Quim Torres), will be published May 31, 2022, and was featured in an article by O’Meara in the March 28 edition of Publishers Weekly. Her third picture book, Oliver and the Night Giants (Illus. by Anna Pirolli) is due for publication with Tra Publishing in the spring of 2023.
“Kitty O’Meara, a former teacher and chaplain and a spiritual director, clearly captures important aspects of the pandemic experience. Her words, written in March 2020 and shared on Facebook, immediately resonated nationally and internationally and were widely circulated on social media, covered in mainstream news media, and inspired an outpouring of creativity from musicians, dancers, artists, filmmakers, and more. The many highlights include an original composition by John Corigliano that was premiered by Renée Fleming. O’Meara’s thoughtful poem about the pandemic, quarantine, and the future suggests there is meaning to be found in our shared experience of the coronavirus and conveys an optimistic message about the possibility of profound healing for people and the planet. Her words encourage us to look within, listen deeply, and connect with ourselves and the earth in order to heal.” — [Amazon Excerpt]
“Kitty has managed to take such a complex historic moment and craft an eloquent, heartwarming reflection that will resonate with generations to come. In a time when we all need to believe something good can come out of something so devastating, Kitty’s words give us pause and hope. Combined with warm illustrations depicting life, this book offers the reader encouragement for a brighter tomorrow.” — [Actress, Kate Winslet]