We were taking a math test today and my school phone rang. The caller ID said that it was Tolya Thompson , an author that we had written. I hesitantly picked up the phone and to my surprise it was her! I have read the Smartie Series books by Tolya Thompson to the kids this year and we have used them to talk about many different social and emotional skills. For example, Loud Lips Lucy is about a girl who talks all the time and when her loses her voice she learns that by listening she learns more. Worry Wart Wes is about a boy who worries over everything. He learns that he is just fine and that he doesn't need to worry so much.
The kids had liked these books so much we decided to write the author. Little did we know that she would call us. She told the class that the letters came at a great time since she had been thinking of giving up writing since she was having a writer's block She shared that these letters from the kids were what she needed to not give up and to keep on writing. She told the kids that they can do anything that they want to and to think outside of their main views. She talked to the kids on speaker phone for quite some time and told them that she was sending a package to them. She even told them that when she finished the new series that she is writing... the one that is causing her troubles... that we would be the first ones to get a copy!!
I have taught for over 20 years and this phone call was one of the neatest things I have expereinced. I wish you all could have seen the look on the kids' faces as this wonderful author talked and encouraged your children! Today.... that math test wasn't the focus... today.... the focus was that your children touched the life of an author as much as she touched theirs. Sometimes the biggest lessons are taught by surprise! Please take a minute to talk to your child about this amazing and wonderful event in our day!
