MICHAEL SAGE (1912-1995)

A history of a mission to bring to Philadelphia public school children a special legacy.

It all started after Michael Sage died when I would show to teacher-friends the books published in the 1960’s that he had written. They wished they had them for their students because of Mike’s play with words.Mike loved the sound of the words in the plays of Shakespeare, Shaw and all written dramas from Greek to modern. Thus it is easy to read Mike’s words aloud--in fact they are best read aloud, like singing. He loved the lyrics of Cole Porter and Gilbert and Sullivan with their endless rhyming and humor.

As a former social worker with seniors, I wanted to be involved in a project that would have some good effects. I had read about a Philadelphia Public School District study that when school libraries had school librarians and students read for fun, they did better in all their subjects. THE WHIMSICAL SAGE interactive readings started in March 2002, and in October 2002 continued with the wonderful enthusiastic assistance of a friend/driver Barbara. Along with having fun, we have found that Philadelphia public schools in the poorest neighborhoods as well as elsewhere respond to Mike’s joyful clever writings. Two of the books included in THE WHIMSICAL SAGE which were never published before have turned out to be the biggest hits with the students.

The readings are FREE and after the readings a book is donated to the school if the school does not already own a copy. It’s very thrilling when we’re asked to come to a school two, three or four times to reach all the students. One of the many satisfying rewards of bringing these books to students was when students from one school displayed the homonym verses they made up--inspired by Mike’s works. Teachers at some schools gave me the pleasure of knowing that they are using the book as a tool in their class lessons. Fortunately I had 31 and a half years in the company of this delightful human being. Even now I keep learning more about Mike as I and others read from his books. There doesn’t seem to be an age limit for them. Adults are as enthused with his words as are children. An unexpected bonus of sharing his legacy, his gentle loving spirit lives on and has given me a life of meaning and purpose.

Joan Sage