I'm so happy to be participating in World Read Aloud Day for the second year in a row. According to LitWorld, "Every year, on World Read Aloud Day, people all around the globe read aloud together and share stories to advocate for literacy as a human right that belongs to all people."
Today, I'm Skyping with several classes around the country, from kindergarten to third grade. Depending on the age of the students, I'll be reading either one of my picture books, SCARLET'S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH or READY, SET, GORILLA!, or the first chapter of my chapter book, THE ENCHANTED SNOW GLOBE COLLECTION: RETURN TO CONEY ISLAND.
I always start off the presentation by showing the class a picture of me when I was a little girl, and a picture of my youngest daughter from a few years ago, holding one of her favorite books.
And today, my dog, Molly, will join in the fun. It's her fifth birthday, and she's a character in my chapter book. I know the classes will enjoy her visit.
I talk with the students about how I was inspired to write my stories, and I answer lots of questions about the writing process and about being an author. Also, I recommend picture books and chapter books that the children might enjoy.
Thanks to author Kate Messner for organizing World Read Aloud Day in the KidLit community. Here's her site if you want to learn more.
Wishing people everywhere the opportunity to share a book or a story today, and to support world literacy in some way. I'm so grateful that I have the chance to participate in this incredible initiative.
Happy World Read Aloud Day! #WorldReadAloudDay #WRAD