OYAMA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

AUTHOR VISIT 

MAY 27^th 2004 

I had mixed emotions while I got ready for this author visit – in all probability it would be my last one for this school year. I know I’ve said it before but you can not imagine what joy I get from doing these visits. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever be writing books for children. Then, not only write for children, but to be able to read my stories to so many great children, well, it’s just simply more than I would have dared ask for.

We began the first session when Principal, Mrs. Walraven, brought in Mrs. Good’s grade 3/4 and Mrs. Henry’s grade 2 classes. After being introduced I began my opening remarks, which turned out to be a little longer than usual. With this being a more mature audience, they couldn’t wait to ask questions about my hands. I’ve said before, it seems during every visit I get asked at least one question that I have never been asked before, today was no exception. One young man asked, “Do you fingers feel weird?”

I looked at him, not being quite sure what he meant. I asked if he meant did I have feeling in them. “No, do they feel icky?” he said.

“Not to me they don’t,” I answered. “But then again I’ve had these fingers all my life and I don’t know what other fingers feel like.”

This led to questions about how I write or even pick things up. I explained I can do just about anything I want to but that I may do it differently than someone else might. I showed them how I have to pick up a book using both hands instead of just one as they or a teacher might. I believe they understood more clearly by being shown, instead of just explaining it to them.

Then it was time to read The Rocking Chair Rescue and Nadia was selected to be my helper for this session. Before long we were back to the questions. Many students commented on how much they liked the story. Some of the questions were, “Is the story true? Did you really play that game in the sandbox? Is that you in the story?” I then explained about our illustrator, and mentioned I had given him pictures of my family before he began the project. Some children said the girl in the story didn’t look like me. I guess it’s all in the eye of the beholder.

Seeing the other children’s book on display, the children asked about them and if they were mine as well. After explaining they were all part of the same series the children asked to hear another story. When I hesitated, they became very insistent. I looked to Mrs. Walraven to see if we had time, she indicated we did.

Before reading the story I told the children how Ricky, the Rickety Rocking Chair came to be, and then sat in the chair to read part of the story. Daniel was selected to be my helper this time, even though there aren’t nearly as many pictures as there are in the other books. Still he was able to show the first picture and then show the cover when it came to that part of the story. There were some oohs and ahhs when the children saw how many words this story contained.

As I read, the children all loved the name I gave the man who had thrown Ricky out, they giggled every time I said it. That was exactly the reaction I had hoped for.

There were a few more ahhs and even a few boos when I stopped where I did. After all, it’s much too long to read the whole story so late in the visit. Mrs. Walraven assured the children she had purchased copies of each book so they would be able to check the book out and read the ending themselves.

Then it was time to say good-bye to our first group, and get ready for the second.

In this session Brianna was chosen to be my helper, it’s so difficult to choose just one – everyone is so eager to help. While I read The Rocking Chair Rescue I noticed several of the children were very intrigued by the story, barely taking their eyes off of me. Once again there were many great questions when the story ended.  

We talked about my brother and his height, I guess some couldn’t imagine being so tall. One little guy asked if my brother was still so tall, “Yes he is,” I replied.

Mrs. Walraven asked if I could explain about the illustrations to this group, as I had done with the first. Someone noticed one of pictures wasn’t the same as in the book.

I do this every now and then just to see if they are paying attention, and they usually are. The picture I’m referring to is the one where Davey is leading Kathy out of the backyard. When we picked up the pictures from the illustrator he had the children in the picture reversed, and this is the picture I display. You can’t put anything past these astute observers!

We spoke a little about the other books in the series and after mentioning there would be colouring sheets handed out later, it was time to say good-bye to our second group. Where does the time go??

After a warm round of applause my audience quietly filed out heading back to their classrooms. My first full year of author visits was now behind me. Thinking what a great year it has been, we packed up our things. I’m looking forward to next year and many more wonderful visits!

I’d like to thank Mrs. Walraven for inviting us to visit her school. I’d also like to thank Brenda for helping with all the arrangements. Most of all I’d like to say a huge thank-you to all the wonderful students at Oyama Elementary, you’re a great bunch!!  

But that is not the end of my report. While a young man from grade seven offered to help Mom carry the rocking chair out to the car I, as usual, was lagging behind. As I came down the hallway I was met by several girls from our first session. They asked for my autograph and they had come prepared with pencil and paper in hand.

I dug my pen out of my purse and began signing their sheets. This is something else I would never have imagined – being asked for my autograph! When the last sheet was signed, three times mind you one for each girl, they headed off to their classroom saying, “We have to go and cut this up for each of us!” As they rounded the corner they turned and quickly said, “Thank-you!” then continued on.

Just as they left, a teacher who was heading out for recess asked, “How cool is that?”

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I’d be asked for my autograph and with such enthusiasm,” I told her.

We had made plans, for after our visit, to stop and see a friend of mine who has recently moved to the area. Debbi and her husband have 10 acres with a large part of that being lawn. To keep it neatly trimmed they have a riding mower, which I got to take for a short spin. To see this little adventure click here, who knows, maybe one day it will be part of Davey & Kathy’s Adventures!

So, until next time my dear ones, read much and be well! J  

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