The Chets Creek Elementary School Farmers

Mrs. Roberts and Miss Lewis's second grade class at Chets Creek Elementary in Jacksonville, Florida, wrote a letter with a lot of questions.

Q: Our school has a theme every year and this year we are farmers. We are wondering if the barn that you work in is located on a farm?
A: It was on a farm many years ago. The barn is now parallel to a street on one side and next to my house on the other side.

Q: Did you really call your grandmothers "Nana Upstairs" and "Nana Downstairs?"
A: I called my Irish grandmother Nana Downstairs and I called my Irish great-grandmother Nana Upstairs?

Q: What were their real names?
A: Mary Alice Downey was Nana Downstairs. Honorah O'Rourke Mock was Nana Upstairs. You can see their photographs in Barbara Elleman's book, TOMIE DEPAOLA, HIS ART & HIS STORIES. www.tomie.com/resources/books.html

Q: Did you really tie yourself in a chair like your Nana?
A: Yes.

Q: Do you have any siblings?
A: Joseph, Jr., Maureen and Judie.

Q: Is the Tommy in your stories always supposed to be you?
A: Yes.