Tags
author visits, graphic novels, NYC, public school children, Scholastic, schoollibraries, transliteracy
One of the best things about being a school librarian is that I get to inspire children to read. Bringing authors to the school and having them speak to children is an incredibly amazing experience. Nothing is more exciting than witnessing scholars getting turned onto reading, literacy and authors they have read.
Not too long ago, Scholastic author, Steve Metzger, shown above on the left, visited kindergarten through 2nd grade. As the author of over 70 books, many students knew him by the titles in the classroom. Steve Metzger showed the lower grades a slide show of the writing process and what his work looks like in the beginning phase compared to a finished product. He read two of his most popular books and children joined to read the chorus. Kindergarteners and 1st graders participated in reading readiness by determining reading direction, intonation and a one to one match with Steve Metzger’s read aloud.
The upper grades, 3rd through 5th, also had their own author come in. Dave Roman, pictured above on the right and shown illustrating below, is a well known graphic novel author and illustrator. He came to the school and had children screaming in excitement and happiness throughout his presentation. Children readily identified with his work and were thrilled by learning his secrets to success. Dave Roman told children to read, be curious and ask lots of questions. He also drilled into the audience that failure is ok and we should practice finishing things. Dave added that most people give up when something is hard or they leave things unfinished. Some of the best things happen in life when you push through difficult times.
Students were able to collaborate with the author /illustrator, Dave Roman, who was so generous that he even gave each child who volunteered a copy of his first book published. Talk about winning over an audience. All the children wanted to take home impromptu drawings they witnessed!
Author visits are very beneficial to the learning community. Authors are a source of enjoyment and inspiration. Our learning community is so blessed to have had Steve Metzger and Dave Roman in! Thank you Steve and Dave!!!!