SOUTH KELOWNA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

AUTHOR VISIT

MAY 6^th 2004

After a beautiful, winding drive up the south hills of Kelowna through many blossoming orchards we arrived at South Kelowna Elementary. Once inside we found Librarian, Kathy Shave where else, but in the library. We were introduced to two young girls who showed us to the Multi-purpose room where we would be holding our author visit.

While setting up we had a lovely chat with our willing helpers. Before we knew it they were heading to class and our first group was arriving. Mom and I wondered why some of the children were facing the other children as they found their places on the floor. They won’t be able see us if they sit like that, we thought.

It all became clear when three girls stood up and started my introduction!

I have been introduced by many Teachers or Librarians but none were as special as this. These girls must have done their homework, for they knew among other things when I started writing and why.

As they were speaking it hit me – I should get a picture. I quickly headed to the back of the group where I could get a good shot. After taking a couple of pictures I handed the camera off to one of the teachers standing near by. Then she asked if I’d like the microphone. Hmm, I’ve never had one before. Once I was hooked up I headed back to the front of my audience and thanked the girls for an excellent job. “That was quite a surprise!” I told them. Little did I know the day held more surprises.

Ryan and Arlyn were chosen to be my “book holders” for the first session. After reading The Rocking Chair Rescue I had many of the usual questions, along with some I hadn’t been asked before. “Does your Mom write?” one young girl asked.

“She has written her memoirs and they were very good but she hasn’t had anything published.”

One boy asked, “How old were you when you started writing?”

“I was twenty-eight when I first wrote my autobiography.”

A few questions later the same boy asked, “We know how old you were when you started writing, but how old are you now?”

A teacher quickly spoke up saying, “You don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to.”

I explained I didn’t tell me age when I started these visits but now I don’t mind. Then the teacher said they had been studying another author who had starting writing when she was quite young and that was the reason for all the “age” questions.

After talking a little about the other children’s books I was asked if I could read them. I looked to the teacher who let me know we were almost out of time. I took a couple more questions, then to my surprise I was presented with a lovely pot of purple Mums. I bet they didn’t have any idea just how nice they would match our home. I have taken a picture but unfortunately the background is very light. I’m hoping you can see the deep purple trim in the window sills. When we first moved in I said that was going to be the first thing we would change. However, once we moved in and settled we came to appreciate the decorating skills of the previous owner.

After the flowers had been presented we posed for a picture. Along with the Mums, a lovely card of thanks and school pen, which I’m going to carry in my purse, were also presented.

We had a brief break before the second session began. A group of grade two students were brought in and before the teacher left to get the other classes she said to her class, “I don’t want to hear a peep.”

As I watched, the children sat quietly and waited. I asked what grade they were in – everyone held up two fingers. Ahh, they weren’t going to say anything. I then asked how they were doing, smiles and hand gestures was their response. When I asked if they weren’t going to talk to me they all responded in the affirmative, without saying a word of course.

I tried everything I could think to make someone say something. I told a joke, although one student found it extremely funny, I did not hear a peep. When their teacher returned I informed her she could be very proud of her class. She didn’t seem surprised.

We had three classes in this session and one girl was selected to give my introduction. I was a little more ready this time with the camera, but was no less impressed. I thanked her and asked for a round of applause for a job well done.

I spoke for a short time to the children before asking for two volunteers, Aston and Cameron were chosen, and both did a superb job! Little did I know what a great question period lay ahead. There were some of the usual questions, “Is that the chair? How long have you been writing? How old were you when you started writing?”

Then questions about my hands began. I had mentioned in my opening that it is arthritis that has caused my fingers to be the way they are. “Can you straighten out your fingers?” I was asked.

“Not any more.”

When one girl noticed I was missing a finger I explained the reason for that. This led to a discussion about many of my surgeries, which led to the question, “How much time have you spent in hospitals?”

There was a question which prompted me to bring out a picture of my hands before I had surgery on them. One girl said they didn’t look that abnormal. I suppose in a sense that was true, however when I explained that I could not straighten the hands from the position they were in, I think she saw them in a different light.

Then we began a discussion about my many scars, including my trache scar. Many of the children mentioned that they also had scars. I suppose none of us get out of this life without a few war-wounds.

Before I knew it I was getting the signal the session was coming to an end. I don’t think the children were ready to call it quits. Once the thank-you’s were exchanged and the classes began leaving to begin their recess break, many children came up to me and either said their own thank-you or shared a story about one of their own battle scars.

Since it was recess time, four girls also stayed behind and asked many more questions. I believe they were very excited to have an author visit their school. One did mention an author had visited them last year but apparently they didn’t have an opportunity to stay and chat with them as they now did with me.

I enjoyed our lovely visit girls as well as my visit to South Kelowna Elementary. You all really know how to make someone feel very special!!

So in closing, I’d like to give special thanks to Kathy Shave for inviting us to visit your school. And thanks to my four helpers and all the children, you are what make these visits so special and thanks for all the terrific questions!!

I’d also like to say a huge thank-you to all the teachers, Mrs. O'Reilly Grade 1 and Mrs. Meldram Grade 1/2 in the first session. In our second session we had Mrs. Chalmers Grade 2, Mrs. Cousins Grade 2/3 and Ms Lees Grade 3, thank-you all for bringing your classes and making this a wonderful author visit!!  

Until next time, read much and be well. J

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