One thing that I have learned about traveling with a rabbit is that it opens up an entire new world of conversations and friendships.  This is so true with my dear friend Lisa and her family from Williamsburg.  I met Lisa through a another history friend and I treasure our friendship.  Moffat of Willamsburg was born!  Below are family photographs, mostly of her and her husband's grandchildren, Emma and SJ.  Moffat is well loved in this household.  See Lisa's description below for his adventure!

Anyone who knows me, knows I ADORE children's picture books.  I have two libraries filled with high quality children's picture books and I always want more!

For years, I thought that I should be reading novels more appropriate for a grown woman. For years, my own children teased me about my book selections.  Now, I am content.  I LOVE children's picture books and here is why:

• I can read a lot of them
• I can read them over and over
• I can share them with the kids I influence everyday
• I always learn something new
• illustrators inspire me                                                               

My newest inspiration came from the book "Miss Moore Thought Otherwise" by Jan Pinborough.  I purchased the book as the school that I have moved to uses the Readers' Workshop model.  As I have been reading more on the model for my own understanding, I began collecting books centered on reading and the stories surrounding them.  If you add a little history to it, I want it.

As I was sharing the book with my students, I was inspired that Anne Carroll Moore used a character called Nicholas Knickerbacker. She used her stuffed puppet as a social object to encourage the kids she worked with to be less shy.  Her character, Nicholas, was a social object, an object that broke down barriers and encouraged interaction.  The story of Miss Moore took place over 100 years ago.  How inspiring.  She was truly a woman ahead of her time, not only for her vision for including children in the library, but for her use of social objects! 

I encourage you to go check it out.  You will not be disappointed!!

Today's blog is a tribute to a great man, Bill Virden.  It can be found under Moffat's blog.

One of my first photographs of Moffat. Notice Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak in the background.  HOME!!

My photography has come a long way!

You can read about my long-eared companion on my webpage under the About page, but I thought I would begin by sharing a bit more.  This is important information as Moffat is just a part of me these days.  Ask my family, friends and teaching colleagues and they will agree.  I was even referred to recently as "that rabbit lady."

SO, with that being said, I think it is best I share as the pictures will undoubtedly come in!

My idea for using Moffat came into perspective 9 years ago.  I can date it by the dates in my photographs on my computer.  At the time, we enjoyed traveling as a family (something I will forever be grateful for), however, our kids were growing up and becoming less tolerable of mom taking their photos around every corner.  At the same time, I also discovered the power of the museum bookstore, still one of the first places I make a bee line to on my travels.  Additionally, I had come across a copy of the book with Felix the Rabbit and his world-wide adventures.

BAM!!  Here comes Moffat!  I labored over his name for quite a long time.  I wanted the name to have historical significance, yet be kid friendly at the same time.  As a native of Colorado, I looked to local historical names that might fit the bill for both.  I played around with Elliot (Charles Elliott Perkins gave Garden of the Gods to Colorado Springs) and Jackson (General William Jackson Palmer was the founder of Colorado Springs).  Neither worked.  I then discovered David Moffat, a railroad man in Colorado (originally from Washingtonville, NY).  The name worked for me and Moffat the Rabbit was born.

To date, I have over 10,000 pictures across the country with Moffat.  Many of them I have taken myself, but many have been taken by dear friends and family.  I use these photographs in my classroom almost daily to teach geography and history to my kindergarten and first grade students and I can't imagine teaching without my long-eared friend!