ShortHand Publishing - Kidston Elementary Author Visit

KIDSTON ELEMENTARY

AUTHOR VISIT

OCTOBER 23/03

Today started out much different than yesterday. Today the sun was shining and all the trees in their fall colours couldn’t have been more beautiful, but like yesterday things would soon change. Our visit would be different today in that we would have three sessions and close to 150 children in all.

I have never liked finding new places, with or without directions. But I have to admit finding schools isn’t really too difficult, mainly because when you are getting close to the school, you begin to see all the school signs so at least you know you’re in the right area. This helps a great deal. Kidston Elementary sits on a mountain side, taking up one entire block, which provides the children with a huge playground.

Once inside we were directed to the library where we quickly found Mrs. LaRose. One of the first things that caught my eye as we entered the library was a huge stuffed bald eagle sitting on top a bookshelf. We were told it was still a baby, as its head feathers had not turned completely white yet. Baby or not, this bird was huge! I’m not sure why, but I have had a love for eagles and large birds of prey for many years. Maybe it’s their beauty or when they soar high in the sky, free. How I would love to be up there with them. I find them to be so very graceful and peaceful to watch.

Mrs. LaRose helped us set up and we were done in no time at all. Then she was off to collect the first group of children. While she was gone and we were alone in the library, I took several pictures of the majestic eagle. I just couldn’t help myself.

Soon the first group, a grade one class, was entering the library. Another author visit was just about to begin. After Mrs. LaRose introduced me, I gave my customary opening comments. One of the first things I say to the children is, “Hi, it’s nice to be here. How is everyone today?”

This usually brings a chorus of, “F – i – n – e” or “G – o – o – d.”

I suppose I’m getting more comfortable with the children, because now I ask them again, as I lean towards them, “How is everyone today?”

This always brings smiles and a rowdy, “F – I – N – E!” or “G – O – O - D!

Ahh, Now, I have their attention.

In my opening remarks I explain to the children how I started writing. It is not surprising that many do not know what an autobiography is. However, when I mention that I have arthritis and ask if anyone can tell us what that is a lot of hands go up. Many of course, have grandma and grandpa’s who have arthritis and some even have parents with the disease. Unfortunately, I’ve met a few children during these visits that have arthritis, and this never fails to break my heart.

Then I go on to explain that while my autobiography was in the hands of my editor I didn’t want to stop writing and that’s when I decided to start writing children’s books, based on my life. It is at this point when I usually turned to the librarian and ask them to read The Rocking Chair Rescue.

Mrs. LaRose informed me that she likes to stand while she reads so, for the first time I got to sit in the rocking chair while the story was read. While she was reading the story I found that I knew almost word for word what she was going to read next. I guess this comes from not only writing the story but hearing it a great deal as of late. But that is not to say I don’t enjoy hearing others read my stories. Quite the contrary, I enjoy it very much and it is something I never dreamt of.

During the question and answer period that followed, some of the children got a little rambunctious. Their teacher clapped her hands three or four times in rapid succession and to my amazement all the children clapped their hands exactly the same way in response to her. When I had been to another school and my mom and I received the “Silent Greeting” I was so taken aback that I didn’t explore with them the reason for this. I wasn’t about to make that mistake again. I turned to the teacher and said, “That was really something. What was that?”

It was with a shrug of her shoulder she simply said, “It’s just what we do.”

Having never seen anything like it before, I asked if they would do it again. The teacher complied by saying that they could do a different “clap” which they did. This time I lost count of how many rapid claps there were but the children didn’t miss a beat, they mimic their teacher exactly. Often when I’m being introduced it is said that they, (the children) are privileged to have a real author with them. I am here to tell you it is not only the children that are privileged during these visits.

Soon the first session was over and the second group of children were on their way in to the library. This would be a smaller group however, they would also get to stay for the third session which has never happened before.

Again, Mrs. LaRose read The Rocking Chair Rescue after my introduction. During the questions and answers that followed, the questions seem to center around my brother Davey. The children knew from hearing the story that Davey was a big boy even when he was six, and now they were amazed to hear how tall he is as an adult. Near the end of our time one of the girls asked if we could read them the second story, this is when I found out that they were staying to join the third group which was already lining up outside the door.

This session would be filled with firsts for me. I have never spoken twice to the same group of children nor have I ever had a "Teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing" interpret my visit. At another visit I did have a hard of hearing child in the group, and this required me to use a headset when I spoke to the children, as did the teacher. But now not only did whoever was speaking use the headset with microphone but we had Lisa Cecile signing everything that was said.

I have to admit that hearing someone else read my stories is a real treat, but watching someone interpret my story using her hands, and whole body for that matter was a very special treat for me. I will never again read Lost and Found without remembering Lisa’s wonderfully animated interpretation of the story.

And so another author visit comes to a close. I would like to thank Mrs. LaRose and all the teachers of Kidston Elementary, grades one through three and of course the wonderful students, you made a great audience! I would also like to say a very special thank you to Lisa Cecile for a job well done! So until next time, be well. J