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Mansfield Patch's Whiz Kid of the Week: Lulu Callahan

Young poet published in Hutch Magazine.

Some people wait years to be published, but one creative 8-year-old has been once already and hoping to be a second time.
third grader, Lulu Callahan learned to write haikus in Rayna Freedman’s class. Each student had to write an original poem as an assignment. It was Freedman who sent Callahan’s mom, Barbi Callahan a link to the . That link launched the budding writer to stardom.

The Dedham store, which is owned by local author and illustrator, Peter Reynolds has been publishing Hutch, a children’s creative literary and art magazine a few times a year since 2008. Students in grades 1-5 are invited to submit art, stories, poetry and book reviews to be published.

Callahan submitted the haiku she wrote for Freedman’s class. She drew inspiration from an exciting day at her house.

“We invited a lot of kids over for a kickball game, so I thought of that,” said Callahan.

All submissions must be original and there is no guarantee they will be published. Callahan’s piece made the grade and appeared in the Winter 2010-2011 issue of Hutch.

She wrote:

“I am playing kickball
Leaves are falling on me
I don’t want to play”

Callahan is very modest about her accomplishments. She said that she did not do anything to celebrate the honor that her family will surely remember many years down the road and, if she had it her way, she probably would not have. Her mother had to point out all of the special events that have popped up since they heard the great news.

Blue Bunny hosted a publishing party for all of the students featured in the Winter edition.

“The store was so crowded the night of the publishing party,” said Barbi Callahan. “There were some kids from out of state that came.”

Each student was announced at the event and they all received a signed copy of Reynolds’ most recent book, Guyku, a book of haikus for boys. His next is called Galku.

Callahan also made a big banner that hung at the entrance of the school and read her poem over the loudspeaker during the morning announcements. She was recognized by the Jordan/Jackson principals and Superintendent Brenda Hodges, who all called or emailed the family.

“After she got published, it became a really big deal,” explained Callahan’s very proud mother. “A lot of kids got in the next issue.”

All of the Freedman’s students who have been published, including Callahan, will be honored at the next school committee meeting. They have all been invited to attend and will appear on cable access for their accomplishment.

Callahan enjoys writing in her free time. She does not have a favorite subject to write about, though if her haiku is any indicator, she takes a lot of inspiration from her own experiences.

She recently submitted a drawing to Hutch but she does not yet know if it has been accepted. The subject was a girl in front of an imagined cityscape.

“It was just like a colorful city,” explained Callahan.

This artistic young girl may grow up to be a famous author or illustrator. In the mean time, she is sure to express her creativity in various mediums.

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