Story and photos by Crystal Hayduk
Authors of favorite books are often on an individual’s “most admired persons” list, and Nancy Shaw’s memorable visit to North Creek Elementary School has surely gained her lifelong fans.
Not only has she written a number of books well-loved by young children, including “Sheep in a Jeep,” (HMH Books, 1986), but she also kept second grade students enthralled and engaged for the better part of an hour – no small feat in the eyes of the North Creek staff.
“She related so well to the kids,” said second grade teacher Beth Newman. “She talked directly to them – about how she became an author, and even how she started writing when she was in second grade.”
Shaw, a graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard who lives in Ann Arbor, visited North Creek last week during the Authors in Chelsea event. She led second grade students in writing workshops on March 25, and conducted an assembly with first graders the following day.
Shaw connected with students through conversation about her own childhood as the second of four children in a family that didn’t own a television. “I didn’t like it at the time, but I was really lucky because I read a lot of books,” she said, telling them that lots of reading and regular visits to the library set the stage for her future career.
She shared the process of writing, from idea to final publication, including details such as rejection letters and years of writing to get a story “just right.” She also told the children how picture books are illustrated and explained how books are printed and put together.
Shaw led the students in conversational discussions about generating writing ideas, dealing with writer’s block, the need for research, and the value of hard work.
Teacher Tami Gillingham said that her students loved hearing Shaw’s thoughts about writing that they could incorporate now. “As soon as we got back to our room, the students started writing,” said Gillingham. “They were so on fire, so we went with it and boom. They had so many ideas after listening to her that they wanted to practice their new skills right away.”
Two students from each second grade classroom were also chosen to have lunch with Shaw. Grace, one of the lucky children from Newman’s class, said, “I really liked talking with Mrs. Shaw about how she got her ideas.” Grace also enjoyed Shaw’s story of visiting the library as a child and staring at the doll display in a glass case.
Shaw said that her favorite aspect of spending time with young children is “… hearing kids’ questions and ideas.”
Shaw considers the Chelsea District Library a “treasure,” and felt privileged to participate in the Authors in Chelsea program this year with Johnathan Rand and Gary Schmidt.
Funding for this year’s Authors in Chelsea event was provided in cooperation with the Chelsea Education Foundation and Friends of the Chelsea District Library.
For more information about Shaw and her books, please visit her website here.
