State Street Library Media Center - Visiting Author Day
State Street Library Media Center - Visiting Author Day |
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On Thursday, March 29th, our visiting author, Natalie Kinsey-Warnock made an impact on everyone at State Street School, as she described the background for her outstanding books and shared facts about her unique rural life in northern Vermont. Our students were inspired to ask their parents and grandparents about what life was like when they grew up, as this gifted author encouraged everyone to search his or her family history for stories that are too wonderful to be forgotten. She pointed to The Bear that Heard Crying as an example of a story from her family that was almost lost, but is now a favorite picture book.
Then, to see the amazing quilts that Natalie Kinsey-Warnock’s grandmother created from designs drawn by the author provided a profound glimpse into her first book The Canada Geese Quilt. In fact the importance of family was the theme throughout her presentation, but she also shared her love of wildlife and nature.
Whether discussing her books, family, or many animals, Natalie Kinsey-Warnock had all of us totally captivated. She had an unbelievable amount of energy, as she met with the faculty during the PTC breakfast, did three presentations, had a Lumber Camp Library “picnic” with 70 students in the library for lunch, and visited with administrators, staff, and students throughout the day.
Thank you, PTC, for sponsoring such a wonderful author, storyteller, artist, and naturalist, as Natalie Kinsey-Warnock. It is heartwarming to now hear our students quoting her stories verbatim!
If you have not heard any of her quotes, ask your child what happened when she was on her mountain bike and saw a bear...
"To all those students who think they do not like to read, you have just not found the right book yet!" Linda Sue Park
When Linda Sue Park visited State Street School on March 31, 2006, she informed us that when she is asked what she does for a living she replies, "I am a writer." However, she told us the real answer should be "I am a rewriter." This is because she constantly challenges herself to make her writing better, so she rewrites her novels several times. Her pefection led to winning the NEWBERY MEDAL in 2002 for A Single Shard. Thanks PTC for making this visit with a Newbery author possible!
Do you think Newbery winners are super-serious? Well, Linda Sue Park has a great sense of humor and there was lots of laughing throughout her presentation. Then when she read an excerpt from her latest book Archer's Quest, we decided it would be the perfect choice for our June 20th Books 'n Bagels Book Club meeting. Other books students enjoyed are The Kite Fighters, Seesaw Girl, Project Mulberry, Mung-Mung, and The Firekeeper's Son.
STUDENT INTERVIEW
Matt Leverich, 5th grade student, created the questions and conducted the following interview with Linda Sue Park:
How do you begin a book – what’s your inspiration on writing?
Linda Sue Park: It’s usually a character with a problem.
Favorite colleagues?
Linda Sue Park: Kate DiCamillo and Katherine Paterson.
How does it feel to be one of the 80Newbery authors?
Linda Sue Park: It’s unbelievable, incredible and amazing
What advice would you give to your readers?
Linda Sue Park: Keep reading!
Why do you love writing so much?
Linda Sue Park: I have something I can control.
How has being a Newbery author changed your life?
Linda Sue Park: It’s been an opportunity for me to travel all over the U.S.
You first got something published in a magazine when you were nine. Does that feel like along time ago?
Linda Sue Park: Yes. It feels like ancient history. Like another life. es. It fefe. t
What do you do in your spare time away from writing?
Linda Sue Park: Read, watch movies, watch sports, and play Dance Dance Revolution.
A Single Shard
The Kite Fighters
The Firekeeper's Son
Mung-mung
On Monday, May 23, 2005 our visiting author, Jim Arnosky had third grade students singing about wild ponies and alligators, fourth grade students talking turkey and making the sound of baby alligators, and fifth grade students dancing like rattlesnakes. This gifted author, illustrator, songwriter, and singer really made an impact on everyone at State Street School. He encouraged students not to rely just on information from the Internet or television shows to learn about wildlife, but rather to observe and record their own information in Wildlife Journals. Having written 91 books and won countless awards, including the very recent Key Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Science Books by the America Association for the Advancement of Science, Jim Arnosky was like listening to a living animal encyclopedia. He captured everyone’s attention with his songs and storytelling that he geared to each age group, which led to one remarkable Visiting Author Day. Thank you PTC for sponsoring such a wonderful event!
