Balloons vs. Books: Kelly's Book Reading Highlights and Joys from Last Week

Eight book readings in six days...so much fun!

Last week was a fun week for me as an author! I was able to read Pastor Jay and Painter of the Sky to eight different student classes and at my library. Thank you to the wonderful students and teachers at Livingston Christian School and the supportive staff at Salem-South Lyon Library for the opportunity to share my stories!

After participating in several book readings this year, I've discovered that my books are best suited for preschool through third grade students. I've also learned that if I want to share my stories with all ages in a group setting, I need to have a strong game plan to keep kids engaged in my stories.

Bring in the Story Basket!

I found this adorable basket at the Salvation Army, which was probably handpainted by someone taking a folk art painting class. As soon as I walk into the door carrying a mysterious, large basket painted with a toys on the top, the kids want to know....What does she have in the basket? Is it candy? Is it a box of chocolate chip cookies? Is it a chicken (haha!)? They sit in rapt attention until I unveil the surprises I have inside my Story Basket. I've found this to be a HUGE success with all kids of all ages. The Story Basket kind of makes me feel like Mary Poppins and her magical carpet bag where she can pull anything she wants from the bag.

So, what do I have stored inside my magic Story Basket? So much stuff!

When I read Painter of the Sky, a story about a little boy who wants to paint the sky just like God, I have a snowman tin full of paintbrushes. As I read the story, the kids use their paintbrushes to paint the sky with me (I have a paintbrush too). When God paints a sun, we all paint a sun in the sky. When God paints a mountain, we paint a huge mountain that towers over our heads. When God paints a rainbow, we paint a colorful rainbow in the sky with our "pretend" paint.

Putting a part of the story inside the hands of my readers immediately transports them from being inside a classroom to being inside my story.

I wish I could share pictures with you of kids drawing pictures in the sky while I read Painter of the Sky. It's magical and beautiful. On the last page of the story, which is my favorite part, the main character talks about God painting love between friends which can only be seen in your heart. The kids paint a huge heart in the sky with their paintbrushes, and I have to confess, I almost cry every...single...time. It's a message I really hope they carry away with them.

After reading Painter of the Sky, I pull out my latest story from the Story Basket called Pastor Jay. The main character of Pastor Jay is a three year old pastor who likes to preach to his sister's stuffed animals in the middle of the night. I found six stuffies on Amazon who greatly resemble the stuffed animals from the story. Six kids who are quietly sitting on their bottoms with their hands raised in the air are selected to have a stuffed animal on their lap while I read Pastor Jay. When I read a part of the story that has a stuffed animal in it, the kids get to raise their stuffies in the air. The kids really feel special when they get selected to hold a stuffed animal from Pastor Jay, and the other kids without stuffed animals listen to the story in anticipation for a stuffed animal part to appear.

While I was reading the books to fourth and fifth graders, we talked about the writing and publishing process. I told the kids that each of these stories went through at LEAST 10 drafts before they got published...which amazed several of them. Why would I choose to rewrite a story on purpose....isn't that pointless and a TON of work? It was a great opportunity to tell them that editing and proofreading is a very important part of writing. Correct grammar is essential to a good story. After reading the books, I had some time for the kids to ask questions about being an author. I was thrilled at the great questions my older readers asked!

After reading the stories at the library, I had Pastor Jay coloring pages to pass out to the kids and a ten year old balloon blower upper (who gets paid with a Big Mac from McDonalds) to give away balloons for the kids to take home. Did the kids rush up to me to grab a copy of my books to take home?

Nope!

My cute, professional balloon blower upper, but he is also known as my son. He REALLY enjoyed his Big Mac after working for me at the library!

My 10 year old professional blower upper got all the attention. He had the longest line of kiddos waiting anxiously to select their favorite color of balloon to take home. After the Story Basket was closed, all the kids wanted was Balloons, Balloons, Balloons, haha!

I am available to do more author visits at schools and preschools. If your school or homeschool group would be interested in having a book reading, please fill out a form at https://www.kellypoulinwriterpage.com/author-visit-with-kelly-poulin.

Thanks for reading my Country Squawk,

Kelly