February
27
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Life Lessons While Visiting Authors with My Daughter by Laura Wagenman
Four hundred six…That’s the number of books we’ve squeezed into my 7 year old’s bedroom. As a former first and second grade teacher, she inherited many of these from my classroom but many more were carefully chosen by her. She’s been a reader as long as I can remember likely since her first book, Love You Through and Through when she was able to read along with me at the age of 2.
Last spring my daughter’s reading life took a pivotal turn when my friend, Sandy Otto, invited us to listen to Kwame Alexander at the University of MN. She sat mesmerized for over an hour listening to his voice sing the words in Booked and tell stories about his own life. She already owned his book, Surf’s Up, but meeting him face to face made the book come to life. We bought Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band and waited in line to have him sign it. When it was her turn, Kwame remembered her and mentioned how she was a great audience member and I could feel her puff up with pride. Once home she requested we listen to jazz music because that was his favorite and read his books over and over. She bragged to whoever would listen that she met a real author and showed them her signed book. When someone would ask about our experience, she was incredulous that anyone would not know THE Kwame Alexander.
The following month we headed to St. Kate’s to meet Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson. She sat in awe listening to the stories of the book’s creation and marveled at Christian’s illustrations. When she met both, she excitedly shared how much she loved the book. She clutched the book tightly, eager to share with her teacher and classmates the next day. On the way home, she asked who would be the next author we would meet. “Author’s make you smile, Mom, and I love hanging out with you and Mrs. Otto.”
It was at the same time, that she asked for a journal. She began to write all of the time. A journal found its way into the car, the kitchen table, and in her backpack. She asked for old notebooks and a new journal topped her birthday list. When I asked about her writing she said, “if you can’t find the book you want to read, you need to make it yourself.” Stories of fantasy filled the pages as her imagination grew.
About a month later, we stumbled upon meeting Amy Young, author of A Unicorn Named Sparkle, at the Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul. After Amy read from her book and illustrated her favorite scenes, “how can she be an author and illustrator?”, my daughter couldn’t wait to say hello. She later told me she loved how the character used her imagination, didn’t care what others thought, and had a kind heart. She too wanted to be like that.
On our most recent author adventure, my daughter got dressed up to meet Shannon Hale, author of Princess in Black. She listened intently to the story of why Shannon chose the character she did, wanting a strong female superhero. After, she could barely contain her excitement when we picked up two books from the series. As we drove home, I asked what was her favorite part. “The Princess in Black is hardcore like we are, Mom. Her story was magical, I felt like I was in a trance.” In my heart, I was so thankful my strong-willed, independent daughter had someone to look up to.
We haven’t visited an author in a couple months but my daughter is reading several different series and got many more books for Christmas as her wishlist continues to grow. We are eagerly awaiting to meet our next author because to us, that is an experience we treasure. When I asked why she liked going on these author visits, her face lit up describing how authors “transport you to another world. One minute you’re next to a fish in Sea World, the next you’re finding magic.” As a mom and avid reader, I love that my daughter is finding herself in books, that she is seeing the author’s heart in the story. These author visits are opening her up to possibilities, new experiences, and the true spirit of childhood. Because in our world, authors change the world, one child at a time.
Laura Wagenman is in her first year as a Staff Development Assessment Specialist. Prior to that, she taught first and second graders in Southern California and fifth and sixth graders in a suburb of Minneapolis. Laura is an avid reader who hopes to continue to cultivate the love of reading in her daughter. She is also passionate about infusing reading into mathematics. You can find her on Twitter, @laura_wagenman.
Nerdy Book Club 
Thank you for sharing, Laura. Writing can be a very difficult and lonely business and we don’t always see the fruits of our labors, so thank you for this post. Some days it’s hard to remember why I write, but this reminds me exactly what I love most about it–taking readers on a journey, sharing something special with them, connecting. I’m going to bookmark this post to read again when things get rough and I forget why I do this.
It’s amazing that she started reading since the age of two.
Hearing Kwame Alexander speak is truly an experience! I rank it as one of my life changing experiences, particularly as a teacher and reader.
What an important and passionate story, Laura. Count me in as one, like your daughter,
Ooops…like your daughter, who will have an opportunity to meet an author and illustrator. I even got an email that she’s looking forward to meeting me. I think she has that backwards! Astrid Scheckles and also Patricia MacLachlan, I am as thrilled as a seven-year-old. Meeting an author makes the books all the sweeter.
This is lovely. I’ve had school librarians tell me that students continue to request an author’s books for years after the school visit. It’s impossible to quantify the impact and inspiration for a continued love for reading, writing, creativity, etc. that transpires during an author’s visit.
Laura – check out the Chapter and Verse book club – there is a group meeting in St. Paul once a month – reading and discussion children’s books. It for adults but your young daughter might enjoy sitting in or wondering the book store while you chat about books.
When my three kids were young I returned from the NCTE conference with a book for each of them, autographed by the authors. All three of their jaws dropped. “You met Christopher Paul Curtis?!” The realization that authors were real people and that they too could write something wonderful if they decided to was a huge shift for them. (Note: They are now in their late 30s.) Thanks for sharing your wonderful daughter and her journey to becoming a lifelong reader and writer. I hadn’t thought of that epiphany for my kids in a long time!
You write so beautifully about your daughter’s experiences with books and meeting authors. I have two young children and I hope to instill a love for reading in them like you have in your daughter.
The connections I have made between my students and authors is invaluable to their development as readers and writers. I love that you are doing this for your daughter at such a young age. She will always know that authors are rock stars!
Thank you for sharing this uplifting story. I am trying to provide similar experiences to kids in need via MARCHing Books to Kids. Throughout the month of March, I reach out to authors and ask them to donate signed copies of their books to children of incarcerated parents. Last year, we received signed books from more than thirty authors (including Nick Bruel and Robert Munsch). Many of the children we serve do not own books, let alone a book signed by the “real-life” author.
Wow, what a great read! Thank you for sharing your experiences with your young daughter. I have an 18 month old at home and she loves grabbing her board books and plopping down on the floor. As an English teacher myself, I hope and pray that she will have a love for books. You have encouraged me to sit with her even more and see books entertain her rather than the usual cartoons. I would love to start a similar tradition with her – meeting authors. I have only ever met a few, but what a great thing to share and experience with your children. Thank you and I wish you the best with your author bucket list!
What a great read – how sweet it is that you have something fun and educational to share with your daughter. She sounds like a great, little lady. My daughter is not even two, but we enjoy sitting together reading books. I love your idea of meeting authors! What a cool way to bring writing to life, especially for your daughter who (I bet) asks them questions about their books. Again, such a great read about your and your daughter. Thank you for encouraging me to keep reading with my little one. I hope that she too will turn into a passionate reader like your daughter.
Meeting an author makes the books all the sweeter. My daughter is not even two, but we enjoy sitting together reading books.