When I
arrived, VP Amazing was there to greet me.
She walked me into the library and introduced me to the librarian. We all chatted merrily for a few minutes
about the book, and I might have rambled something about how I liked that the
library was decorated with books and shelves.
Next thing
you know, the students filed in and I began
to feel slightly nervous. I had read the
book to my younger son’s class at his school, but he is only in first grade, so
it is an easier crowd to please. These
were much older students: second graders. I immediately felt at ease when I saw
Vice-Principal Amazing walk back into the library and sit in the back row, listening
and observing.
I read the
book, the kids clapped, and I answered some questions. Then I gave one of my books as a present to a
child who had the soonest upcoming birthday.
Turns out, there were two kids with that birthday, but being the
hyper-Virgo that I am, I had actually brought a few extra copies just in case that
might happen, so it all worked out. The
two children who “won” the books were thrilled.
The kids
left, and I sat there basking in the glow of being a real author.
Vice-Principal
Amazing, who I now noticed had her camera with her (!), took me aside and told
me what a great job I did. Then she did
the most amazing thing: she gave me a
few pointers for the next group.
“Focus on
the cover art of your book, MOV, before you even start. Get them thinking about predictions for the
story based on the cover. And you might
want to tie in the ‘Learner Profile’ traits as well.” (The Learner Profile traits are 10 qualities
that the school instills in the kids, things like being a risk-taker or being
open-minded.)
I nodded,
pretending I knew all 10 of the Learner Profile traits, instead of just
two. Luckily, I happened to glance up
and notice there was a giant poster on the wall with all the traits listed.
“And MOV,
remember, you can stretch this out. Don’t
rush. The kids are here to see you, they
are excited, and you can slow down and really take your time.” VP Amazing was positive and encouraging, a
true cheerleader. She made me feel like
I did a good job the first time, but that I could do an even better job the
second time.
And you know
what? She was right. I followed all her tips, and the next group
was better. They loved the story, and
the birthday child who won the book acted like he won the Lottery. It made me wish I had brought 25 books to
give away.
I am so
grateful to Vice-Principal Amazing.
Grateful for her awesome advice for my reading, but even more grateful
that she is an everyday presence for my older son and all the other children
who attend the school.
I never use
real names in my blog, but if you have a child at this school, you already know
who VP Amazing is. She is the
cheerleader who makes us all feel smart, important, valued, and heard. She makes us live up to our potential.
The children
are lucky to have here there, and so are the parents. 
MOV
**This book is illustrated by the insanely talented Haley Wolfe at Haley's Comic.
