Written by Denise Gary
Photographs © Denise Gary
If you have never treated yourself to visiting with authors at your local bookstore, you are cheating yourself out of connecting with wonderfully engaging entertainers. Gifted authors not only know how to spin imaginative tales when they write, but they are able to hold an audience captive with their natural storytelling talents in person. Exposing children to the people who create books is extra powerful, literacy-promoting medicine.
Author PJ Haarsma puts on a dynamic show for kids.
This past fall, Kids Need to Read staff had a great time attending several author presentations at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona.
Not only did we get the opportunity to enjoy young adult authors PJ Haarsma, James A. Owen, Robin Brande, J.S. Lewis, and Mac Barnett; but we were able to spread awareness for Kids Need to Read by handing out buttons, bookmarks, and brochures. Because Changing Hands sold the Kids Need to Read 2010 wall calendar at their store, the calendar authors graciously signed copies of the literacy-inspiring date minder for those in attendance.
Author James Owen signs a KNTR calendar.
How else can you discover that your belief in The Great Pumpkin is shared by an author, if you do not attend literary gatherings?
KNTR volunteer Tina Worley and author J.S. Lewis show off matching t-shirts.
Where else can your children sit in the lap of the author who wrote their favorite book?
Author PJ Haarsma sits with his young fans. (They are wearing Softwire t-shirts!)
If that isn’t enough to convince you to take your kids to visit with authors, maybe this letter I received after PJ Haarsma’s visit to Changing Hands will:
I have to tell you, [my child] is enchanted and raves about PJ and his books. For Christmas he gave copies of them to friends and his cousin! He is anxiously awaiting the next installment, this for the kid who really didn’t like anything slightly science fiction, and didn’t love reading much! PJ has definitely made an impact with his novels on this kid’s life! I love it.
KNTR volunteer Jan Landis and Haarsma fan Zach talk to PJ Haarsma.
Connecting to an author in person can truly change a kid’s perspective on the coolness of reading. Look for author presentations and signings at your local bookstores. Take your children to several and watch their interest in reading grow. Not only will they enjoy the experiences, so will you. Better yet, you will be encouraging literacy on all levels by supporting bookstores in your community.
Author Robin Brande holds up the calendar she signed for KNTR. (She proudly sports a KNTR button, too!)
We thank Changing Hands for selling our 2010 calendar and for allowing us to spread awareness of our foundation at their store. We sincerely appreciate their kind support of our program.
Click here to find out about our exciting plans for the Kids Need to Read 2012 wall calendar and . . . well, we don’t want to spoil the surprise, but there will be more than a calendar. That’s right; we are skipping a year to develop our calendar project into a larger, year-round event.
Click here for more pictures of the author presentations we attended at Changing Hands.
