New National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature
Katherine Paterson will be succeeding Jon Scieszka as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Her platform is “read for your life.” With books, she said, kids (and adults) use their “powers of intellect and imagination” and experience “delight.” Stories also teach children about people from other religions, races, and countries, she said. “Books help us make friends who are different from ourselves.” (from Library Journal) You can read more about her appointment here.
Katherine Paterson has been a favorite of mine for a long time. My students couldn’t get enough of her books. I would no sooner bring in new titles that they would disappear off the shelves. My oldest daughter grew up on her books. Paterson’s works seep into our souls and touch us as few authors can do.
I love Paterson’s platform, “read for life.” Like all teachers who have a passion for literacy, I have always believed that first and foremost, my job is to create life-long readers and writers who find delight in reading and writing. I am always on the hunt for the book or author that will ignite the spark that creates joyful reading. I love the challenge at the beginning of the year when a student tells me that he or she doesn’t like to read. I always tell those children that I will change their minds. I don’t think I’ve failed yet. There is no better sight than to see a child curled up with a well-loved book or another calling across the room with the newest fact about arachnids just gleaned from an informational article. Teaching first grade gives me a whole new perspective. These young learners are just beginning their journey as readers. What a privilege it is, as well as a tremendous responsibility to create an atmosphere where children find excitement, new worlds, wonderment, and new experiences in books. Congratulations to Katherine Paterson!
