Douglas Wood, Children's Author

What a treat! On Friday the children were entertained by children's author, Douglas Wood. Each year our Media Specialist, KK Cherney, chooses a children's author and helps find the funds to bring the author to Chets Creek. In year's past we have had some of the most amazing experiences with children's authors and illustrators. It is just such a revelation for the children to actually see and meet an author that they know and love. Mr. Wood delighted the children by telling them the story of Rabbit and the Moon. Some of the children may remember hearing these kind of Native American legends when they were involved in Pow Wow as kindergartners. It's one thing to hear a book read by a teacher, but it's quite something else to hear a book read by the person that wrote the story! Mr. Wood also sings so he taught the children two different songs with motions. He obviously has a heart for nature because his books and songs all help us celebrate the world around us.



Mr. Wood told the children that he has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and that it was very hard for him to sit still or to just think of one thing at a time. He said that instead of writing just one book at a time, he really had ten books in his mind at the same time! He also talked about how hard it was for him to learn to read until he had a very special teacher in the second grade that really took time with him and helped him learn that all the little squiggles and blots on a page actually held a message. He said that even after he learned that he didn't learn to read quickly. It took a lot more time but he did learn that he was smart and that he could learn. Now he ways he loves to read! He showed the children a copy of his newest book which hasn't even hit the shelves yet.
Douglas' Wood's first book was Old Turtle which is probably his most famous book. It has sold a million copies and has won lots of awards.



Mrs. Phillips chose one of Douglas Woods books, The Secret of Saying Thanks, as the May Book of the Month. She actually read the book to the faculty while Mr. Wood watched! The book in now in our classroom and will be read this week. Hope the children enjoy it as much as the teachers did!