Lanie’s playground pops up in Hong Kong

Whooo!  In Hong Kong–city of angles and night glitterings where the street crossing signals sound like woodpeckers gone mad–I did an author visit at a terrific school that has a playground in the air.  Just like the school in Cambridge I used as a model for Lanie’s school.

I knew I would find a city of business and busyness…an intersection that reminded me of Times Square in New York City and is, in fact, perhaps just as bustling as that spot.

I didn’t know people go into the mountains around Hong Kong and hike.  I didn’t know I’d sit in the staff room of that city school and look down on thick trees.  Some of the kids were dressed up to show their admiration for people they consider great…some of whom I recognized and some not.

I happen to have inside information that one of these students is Oprah Winfrey. 

The school was doing a read-a-thon to raise money for Room to Read.  That made it extra fun to show the bilingual books that Room to Read helped Ethiopia Reads publish in Ethiopia.  I loved introducing them to Yohannes, a new hero for their consideration.

I did hear that a lot of the students despise bugs.  Lanie to the rescue!  (I hope.)