Every year for the past five, we’ve hosted a reading celebration that’s run through our local PBS station. This past Saturday seven young readers from all over northern Vermont dressed up in their fancy clothes to read their illustrated stories. I love this story time for many reasons, but the main one is the variety of stories and the absolute loveliness of the kids.
Children and their families started streaming in about 20 minutes before the reading. They found seats and then browsed nervously. The mix of pride and fear was evident in all the readers who were mostly third and fourth graders. Elizabeth hosted the event with grace and a calming style that helped soothe all the young writers. She and I discussed the order of the readings and told the kids we would start from the end of the alphabet. This made it real. Kids started squirming. One child blanched, realizing that instead of going near the end (her name began with a W) she would be going first.
One by one, they read their stories, about horses, a Lego man, siblings, and being scared by noises; some of them whispered, some shouted, but all were proud, and they should have been. These stories were good, they were full of great images, both drawn and written, and complex plot lines with dialogue and humor. These were young writers and I was glad to hear their stories and be part of their event. 
I know I can be snarky with some of my comments but this is just such a great program! Kudos to you and the staff for encouraging the writers of tomorrow!
What cute kids!
Elizabeth & Josie, For the last 5 or 6 years I have worked with a terrific Elementary teacher, 3rd grade the first years and changed to 5th for the last 2 on a poetry unit. When they are finished, they come to the store with their families and do “poetry performances ” of their works for the families.
Each year, I have tried to surprise them with a special guest. It’s been so much fun and always nice to have these, not so close families in the store!
Thank you very much.
You can’t beat the combination of children and creativity. Our annual literary festival in Millbrook, NY, is set for Saturday, June 21st. We have more than 80 authors taking part in panels, performing readings of their work, and talking books with their readers. But I’ll bet our best attended event of the day will be the hour set aside for kids to share their writing.