Giving children access to authors and books may be the most effective and overlooked solution to ensure that children attend school with the tools they need to succeed. County Kids Read was pleased to receive a grant from the Prince Edward County Community Foundation Community Fund for Canada’s 150th.
The grant enabled the students from Queen Elizabeth Public School to experience 2 live presentations from Canadian authors. The experience of a live author presentation broadens the horizons of students, and encourages a love of reading and creative writing.
In May, Cary Fagan spoke to grades one, two and three students at Queen Elizabeth School and read from his latest book, Little Blue Chair. After the presentation, each child was given a signed copy of the book. Cary has written award-winning books for both adults and children. His picture books are Gogol’s Coat, The Market Wedding, Ten Old Men and a Mouse, and My New Shirt. His novels for children include Daughter of the Great Zandini, The Fortress of Kaspar Snit (Silver Birch Honor Book), and Directed by Kaspar Snit (Silver Birch nominee).
Wesley King, who visited Queen Elizabeth School in October, is the author of the Edgar Award–winning OCDaniel, which Booklist praised, “This perceptive first-person narrative is sometimes painful, sometimes amusing, and always rewarding,” in a starred review. His first middle grade novel, The Incredible Space Raiders from Space!, was called “a well-drafted coming-of-age story” that “will keep [readers] turning pages” by Publishers Weekly. King is also the author of The Vindico and its sequel, The Feros, which were both Junior Library Guild selections.
Wesley spoke with the students about ideas, creative writing and reading. Each student received a signed copy of his latest book OC Daniel at the conclusion of his visit.
