Author Inspiration
Meeting Andy Griffiths and Sally Rippin
Today the big boys and I had a day trip to the State Library for Book Day. A great celebration for Mr Me of his massive growth in reading. The highlight…listening to author Andy Griffiths talk about his next book The 52 Storey Treehouse and having him sign the earlier 3 books in the series. (Oh, and the sticky wall maze was a hit…more about that later…)
Reading Andy Griffith’s Treehouse series has been a huge accomplishment for Mr Me. Earlier this term we borrowed The 13 Storey Treehouse from the library to read together. This was our special time to sit down together with Mr Me listening to me read. We had fun discovering the comical, ‘no sense’ style of writing…perfect for a 6 year old boy! When we finished it we put a hold on the next book at the library…and waited 6 weeks for it to come in. What was to come put a smile on my Mummy face…
When we finally borrowed it at 4:15pm on a Wednesday afternoon Mr Me had it started before we left the library….actually I had to ‘suggest’ he close it on the way to the car so he could see where he was going (and walk at normal pace!). Once we were in the car and subsequently home Mr Me and the 26 Storey Treehouse were inseparable. I had expected this to be another read together book…apparently I underestimated him! Significantly…he had finished the book by 8pm Thursday evening, less than 28 hours after borrowing, having attended a day of school! I was highly impressed, and secretly thankful to the forthcoming Book Day and promised meeting of Andy Griffiths which had inspired him to ‘read on’.
I made a dash for the shops to purchase the series. The look of gratitude on his face when I surprised him with them was wonderful.
I suppose what this experience has offered us is a new ‘role model’. A concept that is so important for all young people, arguably for any of us. A person (or multiple) who inspires, both in the short term and with longer term goals. Me Mr even declared this week that ‘when I grow up I am going to be an author who writes about stuff I discover’ (combined author/scientist…it has potential!).
So thank you to the authors out there who realise that their role goes far beyond the books they write…who have the patience for talks, questions, book signings…again and again. Who realise that their work inspires young readers and that events such as the Book Day today give children valuable real-life experiences, truly bringing books to life. Who make a 6 year old boy want to wait patiently in line for 45 minutes to meet the person who created these fun books they have enjoyed.
When Mr Me goes to school in the morning, half way through the 39 Storey Treehouse, he will sit in class reading it and I’m sure in the back of his mind he will be making links with meeting the author today. He will share Andy Griffith’s signature with his friends and think about how he wrote his stories when it comes to his own writing time.
We have one more Treehouse experience to look forward to next term and are looking forward to attending a live performance of the first book. The story will come to life for us again!
Finally, later this week we will recreate in our backyard a ‘sticky wall’ from the Sticky Maze today…a very simple and fun activity using sticky tape and newspaper strips to make recycled walls. Another fun way to bring print to life…because print is part of life and useful in life…let’s give our kids opportunities to use their learning and give it meaning.
Thank you to the Book Week organisers today…we will be back!
At Home Today 
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