Elspeth Campbell Murphy

“Good Teachers! CHALKDUST will remind you that teaching our children is a high calling and a joy.”
—Bill Martin, Jr.

"Teachers will find poems to savor and to share with colleagues in this thoughtful book.

"Dived into five sections, the book offers prayers for children (the slow learner, the chatterbox), prayers for throughout the year (grading time, open house night), prayers for special times (“Sunday Night Insomnia”), prayers for the teacher (for confidence and renewal), and prayers for parents and other grownups (challenging parents, helpful librarians).

"Murphy’s voice comes through in each encouraging prayer."
—Mennonite, March 2005

When I'm the Teacher—Everywhere

Lord,
when the maitre d' asked,
"How many in your party?"
I answered, "FOUR!"
and held up four fingers.

But that's not all.

My answering machine
instructs the caller to sit up straight
and speak directly into the phone.

I circle the spelling mistakes
on supermarket flyers.

I switch off TV talk shows
when the speakers won't take turns
and raise their hands.

I just . . . I just . . .
want all the people in the whole world
to stay in their seats
and put their names on their papers.

Lord, help me.

“Good Teachers! CHALKDUST will remind you that teaching our children is a high calling and a joy.” —Bill Martin, Jr.

Beloved children's author Bill Martin, Jr. is known to millions of parents, teachers, and children worldwide as the creator of the classic Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and many other wonderfully rhythmic and engaging books. Dr. Martin was the founder of International Institute of Literacy's Pathways to Literacy conferences. He died in August 2004, and is fondly remembered as a true pioneer in the study of literacy acquisition, a man who taught generations of readers to embrace and celebrate the sounds of language.