A drove of dragons filled the  Fairfield/Cordelia Library last week when five kindergarten classes paid a visit on World Read Aloud Day

The wind was whipping, the rain torrential, as about 100 kids, their teachers, and chaperones from the Nelda Mundy Elementary School donned their foul weather gear and whimsical wellies and braved the latest California atmospheric river to hear a read aloud of my favorite debut picture book.

Once everyone shrugged off their bright-colored ponchos and parkas and piled their plastic umbrellas in the vestibule (now there’s a word you don’t hear everyday), half the soggy 5-year-olds settled in a nearby room to do a paper-bag dragon craft…

while the remainder filed into a corner of the children’s book section and made themselves comfortable on the floor before my feet. As children’s book librarian Natasha North introduced me, the sight of those fifty little faces, anticipation and excitement shining in their eyes and burbling from their lips, moved me to tears…literally!

I couldn’t hold back. I tried like heck, but they had a mind of their own and flowed. Not atmospheric rivers, but enough to make me feel somewhat embarrassed. But what a teaching moment! Mrs. I. Don’t-know-her-name quickly assured the wee crowd (and me), “Those are tears of joy. Sometimes we cry when we are super happy.” And oh boy was I ever! Not to mention, a little relieved as well, since public speaking has never been my forté. But they’re kids, you say. Yup…they’re kids…the most discerning beings on the planet. But I digress…

After the reading and a rollicking Q & A, the next crowd filed in with their creations in hand.

I’m happy to say, only tears of laughter were shed. Especially after I was asked to name one of my favorite picture books…

“If Charlie Brown were a dung beetle, he would be this beetle.” ~ Betsy Bird, School Library Journal. Her author interview HERE 

Imagine the ruckus that erupted in the room!

What is it about the wild effect any mention of excrement has on kids?

You’ll be surprised at the bug facts cleverly woven into this story about friendship, fitting in, and accepting each other’s differences. It is genius!

Sadly (no tears this time), the hour drew to an end much too quickly. Everyone donned their rain gear, gathered up their dragons, and filed out the door for the short walk back to their classrooms leaving me to profusely thank Fairfield’s phenomenal librarians Anjeli W. and Natasha North for a wonderfully successful and fun event.

One last word, or 34…experts say reading aloud “builds many important foundational skills, introduces vocabulary, provides a model of fluent, expressive reading, and helps children recognize what reading for pleasure is all about.” I would add, it’s heart-warming and fun to boot!

Do you have a favorite? Grab it and go read it to a child, your hamster, or yourself. Tell me about it in the comments. In the meantime…

THANK YOU Dear Reader!
for stopping by and accompanying me on this, my writing for children adventure
❤️ You are AWEsome ❤️