Middle Gate Loves To Read Day

By Tanjua Damon

The love of books and reading was evident at Middle Gate School May 2 when staff and students celebrated Middle Gate Loves to Read Day. Students and teachers dressed in their favorite book characters as authors and singers educated them about the process of making books and the importance books have in everyone’s lives.

Three authors spent time with students during the day. Nan Rossitor, author/illustrator, spoke to fourth graders about the process of getting a book published. Pegi Deitz Shea, author, spoke to all students and shared her book Ten for Mice for Tet. Ross MacDonald, author, spoke to second graders about writing books.

There was even a visit from the “Llama Lady” and her two friends for the first graders. Bob Huitt spent time with third graders performing stories and ballads of the United States for third graders.

Middle Gate Principal Judy Gallo led the culminating parade dressed special as Mr Popper from Mr Popper and the Penguins along with fourth grade teachers Mr Neeb, Ms Gabianelli, Mrs Schmidt, Mrs Baron, and Mr Sullivan who added penguins and a painter to the characters roaming the halls.

Author/illustrator Nan Rossitor of New Milford shared the three books she has had published — Rugby and Rosie, The Way Home, and Sugar on Snow. She explained to Middle Gate students that getting a book published takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and determination. It is not something that happens overnight.

“Many times I would get my books back from a publisher that said ‘we’re not interested,’” Ms Rossitor said. “I’m a firm believer in positive thinking. I didn’t give up. When God closes a door, he opens a window.”

It took Ms Rossitor more than three years to get Rugby and Rosie published. She wrote it in 1991 and it was published in 1994. She showed the students the process of bringing a book to life through storyboards and dummy books.

“I didn’t like making changes. I’m very adverse to changes,” she said. “But in the end changes sometimes make it better.”

Ms Rossitor was pleased to be able to speak with Middle Gate students.

“I like to share with the kids. It’s a great way to be able to read the stories to them,” she said. “And hopefully to inspire them.”

Author Pegi Deitz Shea gave an in-depth talk about how her book Ten for Mice for Tet came to life. She explained that a teacher in Glastonbury called her about writing a book about Vietnam. Ms Shea worked with the teacher to come up with a counting book about the customs in the south Asia country. She showed the students how illustrators work with authors to get the pictures in place with the text.

“Usually a writer has nothing to do with the illustrations in a children’s book,” Ms Shea said.

She asked the teachers to plug their ears and close their eyes, then Ms Shea asked the students how they feel when their teachers ask them to make revisions.

“Aren’t your first drafts pretty ugly?” she asked.

“Think of corrections as a change to do something new and wonderful,” Ms Shea added. “It’s like getting another chance.”

Middle Gate School holds a reading celebration annually to inspire students to write as well as read to increase their literacy and enjoy what books have to offer.