Jean Nastasi, Neighbor

I teach English and Creative Writing at an enrichment program called SchoolPlus. The program meets every Sunday in Forest Hills, where I reside with my husband, daughter, dog, cat, and most recently, school of sea monkeys.  I am currently enrolled in an MFA program for Creative Writing with a concentration in Fiction, due to graduate in May 2012. I have completed a novel, and I am hard at work on another, as well as a collection of short stories, and book of children's poetry. 

I have a great interest in promoting not only literacy in children, but also in promoting the best kind of literacy. What does that mean?  It means I'm finicky about the books I read to my daughter, and I have some strong opinions about what makes a good book, well, good. I'm starting this blog to review children's books, highlight some of my personal favorites, and to editorialize about literacy in a more general sense as well. I hope all of you find what I have to say useful, and interesting too!

Apart from the blog and my other writing, I love to read (obviously) cook, hike, run, swim, watch old movies, and listen to The Rolling Stones. Additionally, of course, anytime I spend with my family is the best time of all!