And you came from Vancouver only to read us a story !
Posted by Katarina Jovanovic
Our first talk starts at 9:15. Uplands Elementary in Terrace. Only Robin and myself. Margaret and Elise are going later, to Caledonia Secondary. I am reading to the grade 3 students. Two classes together. Every single student engaged and listening with their eyes wide open. They carry me with that childhood enthusiasm for the story and such generous appreciation for having a book author visiting the class. I never talked with more energy and inspiration. After the reading, the teacher comes up with an extension: all the children will draw a picture of their favourite part of the story. Curious, I walk between the tables leaning over little shoulders: what are they going to draw? Some children draw the king looking at himself in the mirror. Most of them choose the scene with Igor digging the hole and shouting his secret into it. They all fill out the hole with the words:” king….goat…ears”. Some of them approach me saying that they want to become the writers.
Our second visit is in the afternoon. We are full of energy driving down to Kitimat. Yes, we all agree, we are the finalists and it would be nice to get a prize but this trip with all the children we get to talk to - that’s more exciting than anything else.
In Kitimat,we separate again. Margaret and Elise are heading to the high school students. For Robin and myself the next stop is Nechako Elementary School. I am reading to 40 children: grades 1-3. This group is even more involved. We can’t possibly end the talk: they have so many questions: when did you start writing? .. why did you write this story? ..now that you are famous, do you get to meet other famous people? .. what is the prize: do you get a car.?... do you know what happened to the king after?...where does he live?
They all want an autograph. While I am signing,we talk. They find out that I came on the plane from Vancouver.
” And you came from Vancouver only to read us a story?!” - yells a little boy in the corner, his dark eyes growing really big and bright.
Monica Miller
Apr 15, 2009 at 11:59 AM
That is so adorable; I love kids’ questions. Sounds like you made an incredible impact on the students!