People visiting the Springfield Township Library on May 3 from 6 ? 8 p.m. can meet three authors visiting Clarkston thanks to Spring into Reading.
Authors Jim Aylesworth, Deborah Morris and Neal Shusterman complete the cast of writers visiting for the third annual Author’s Night. The event was held last year at Independence Township Library and rotates between the two libraries each year.
‘It helps (the kids) think about their writing and where it might go? I think they get a lot from meeting them in person and putting a face with a book. It’s inspiring to them,? said Children’s Librarian Francie Bauer. ‘I think it makes them more real. You pick up a book and don’t think about how it came to be.?
Spring into Reading Committee Co-chairs Sharon Crain and Sandy Gallivan, who are also elementary media specialists in Clarkston Schools, expressed excitement through an e-mail interview about this year’s authors advising kids ‘to bring an open mind? while learning about the writing and publishing process.
Both Crain and Gallivan said the goal of the non-profit Spring Into Reading, made up of teachers, parents, media specialists and community members, is to bring quality authors and illustrators to the Clarkston community. All K-9 public schools and area public libraries are able to participate in the program, they said.
According to a Spring Into Reading flier, Jim Aylesworth (grades K ? 2) is a retired first grade teacher and full-time writer who published over 25 picture books. He shares stories with children during visits to schools and uses the elements of sound, rhythm and rhyme.
Author Deborah Morris (grades 3 ?5) has written 140 magazine articles and 15 adventure books, including a series called ‘Real Kids, Real Adventures? which was adapted as an Emmy-nominated TV show for the Discovery Channel. She also started working on a new series for teens call ‘Teens 911,? states the flier.