Blog Posts

When Children and Authors Interact

At Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), we believe in the transformative power of stories and the remarkable impact that occurs when children connect with the authors behind the books they love. In this guest blog, Dr. Molly Ness, educator, researcher, and host of RIF’s recent webinar Read Aloud, Reach Every Learner, reflects on the magic that unfolds when young readers meet and hear from authors. Her insights illuminate how these interactions can inspire creativity, deepen engagement, and open doors to new possibilities for every learner. 

This past winter, I met Judy Blume. I was vacationing in Key West, where she owns a small independent bookstore. As a lifelong reader, a fierce literacy advocate, and a patron of independent bookstores, I knew my itinerary needed to include a stop in. I had no idea that on the Saturday afternoon of my visit, Judy herself would be stacking the shelves and working the cash register. Upon immediately recognizing her, I thanked her profusely for my childhood. Yes, there were tears as I fangirled her, and we chatted about various literacy topics. We snapped a quick picture, which now sits framed on my mantle. Every time I see that picture, I am reminded of that special moment in my reading life, of all of Judy’s books that I read throughout my childhood, and the power of authors. Powerful interactions happen when readers have first-hand experiences with the authors whom they revere. 

This experience is not unique to adults; powerful interactions occur when students interact with authors. Sometimes those interactions occur face-to-face - through school visits or book festivals. Many times, these interactions are virtual - an author conducting a meet-and-greet at schools or simply reading aloud their book for children to access online. No matter the format, the results are the same. When children interact with authors, the process of writing is humanized. As children hear their favorite texts read aloud by the writer, children understand that we all have stories to tell. As children interact with authors, they might have opportunities to ask authors about how they come up with their story ideas or about how they made their career choices. Even more importantly, when children interact with authors, they begin to ruminate over their own book ideas and ponder writing as a possible career or hobby. As explained in this 2018 Ed Week article, children begin to see authors as role models.   

The magic that transpires when children see the person behind the words is why I’m so grateful that Reading Is Fundamental has partnered with beloved authors to offer a video library of author read-alouds. Now children all over the country not only have access to high quality books, but get to hear the voices of, see the faces of, and be inspired by the creative geniuses who crafted their words. 

 

Dr. Molly Ness is a former classroom teacher, a reading researcher, and a teacher-educator. She is the founder of Dirigo Literacy and author of Read Aloud for All Learners.