‘My Writing Process’ Blog Tour
My friend Kelly Milner Halls recently participated in the Writing Process Blog Tour and asked children’s poet laureate Kenn Nesbitt and me to join her on the tour, answering a few questions about our writing process. I invited faculty writer Swati Avashti and alum Tamera Will Wissinger, members of the Hamline University MFAC community, to follow me on […]
Listen Now: My Country Tis of Thee Music Project
Choirs of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in the Music Project by singing and recording their own versions of My Country, Tis of Thee at school and in their communities. Inspired by the book by Claire Rudolf Murphy, My Country Tis of Thee Music Project presents recordings of the every version of […]
It’s your turn! Submit new lyrics for My Country Tis of Thee
It’s your turn! Submit your own lyrics, recordings and videos for a cause you believe in. The My Country Tis of Thee Music Project (MCTT for short) invites students, choirs, classes and clubs to submit new lyrics and performance recordings to the tune of ‘My Country Tis of Thee,’ also known by the song title ‘America.’ Winning submissions […]
My Country, Tis of Thee – How One Song Reveals the History of Civil Rights
By Claire Rudolf Murphy and illustrated by Bryan Collier Henry Holt and Co., 48 pages, ISBN 9780805082265 More than any other, one song traces America’s history of patriotism and protest. Everyone knows the words to “My Country, ’Tis of Thee.” What most don’t realize is that this iconic song has been a beacon of change […]
A Q&A with Illustrator Bryan Collier
Bryan Collier has painted amazing illustrations for my May 2014 nonfiction picture book My Country Tis of Thee. Check out this article on Bryan and his work from the May 2-13 issue of School Library Journal. The sketches above his desk feature illustrations from our upcoming book.