Roland Smith, award-winning author of a variety of children’s books, including the “I-Q” series, Storm Runner series, and a number of non-fiction zoo animal books, will be coming to Sweetwater County Feb. 24 through Feb. 26. He will be visiting schools and libraries in both Green River and Rocks Springs.
During his visit to the Sweetwater County Library on Feb. 24, we will celebrate his arrival with a party at 6:30 p.m., which will include fun children activities and a book signing. Feel free to bring your own Roland Smith book or purchase one at the library during the party. Smith also will be presenting a program at White Mountain Library in Rock Springs on Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. Smith’s visit has been made possible by grants from Sweetwater BOCES, the Sweetwater County Library Foundation, and Commerce Bank.
While Roland Smith was studying English at Portland State University with the goal of becoming an author in mind, he was also working part-time at the local children’s zoo. This combination inspired him to write books with animal themes. He also continued working with animals in different capacities for many years. His wife is also an author, and they have collaborated on picture books together. They currently live on a farm in Oregon when they are not travelling across the country visiting schools and libraries.
Author visits like these have proven to be very influential in the lives of the children who attend. Reading becomes more exciting when the author becomes real to them.
Children’s author Malorie Blackman has been visiting schools for over 20 years, and she says, “I have seen and learnt for myself just how much a difference author and illustrator visits can truly make. Such visits inspire not just reading and writing, but also fire a child’s imagination and lead to previously reluctant readers actively seeking out stories.” Children who read for pleasure tend to do better in school, even in subjects that you may not expect, like math.
Visiting authors also encourage students in other ways. According to Joan Elliot and Mary Dupuis, authors of “Young Adult Literature in the Classroom,” not only do they inspire even the most reluctant children to want to read, they also show children that they too can achieve their goals, even if those goals don’t include becoming authors themselves.
When children meet authors who have decided to pursue their dreams, persevered through struggles, and then succeeded, they see that they can also have hope for their own dreams. This interaction can stay with them for the rest of their lives and give them the determination they need to keep going when they face difficult times.
I encourage everyone to come out to meet Roland Smith in February. In the meantime, stop by the library with your children and pick up one (or a few) of his books. He has written books for kids of all ages. He could become their new favorite author, and who doesn’t want to meet their favorite author in person?
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