Author Readings at St. Mary of the Angels School, Chicago

Author Alison Madden has begun her journey with both Kindergarten and 1st grade classes at St. Mary of  the Angels Catholic school in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago.

For the past three weeks I have gone into class to read one chapter to the students. The adventure will last seven weeks because there are seven chapters in the book! I am having such fun bringing the story to life for the children. The protagonists are from Yorkshire, so it is fun to put on a Yorkshire accent when reading the parts of Fred, Fiona and Amos. For the snooty lady on the bus I put on a throaty, Queenly voice. And for the thieves a fun cockney accent - think of the two rats in Chicken Run!

I am amazed at the questions and comments the children have for me when I end the reading and come to the Q&A part. It is obvious that they engage with the story, and enjoy it. The teachers are engaged too, and have created special writing projects for the students to do alongside my readings. The first-grade students are creating their own Fred & Fiona books. After each reading they write and illustrate their own chapters, and by the end of the seven weeks will have their own Fred & Fiona books. It is so satisfying, as an author, to see the story in the hands of my readers and to see them recreate the book in their own styles, capturing the scenes that stand out for them. The teachers have also pulled from the Internet photographs of the Tower of London and such, to bring the story to life even more. Photos are projected onto the Promethean board during the reading, bringing Big Ben, and Beefeaters and the like into the classroom! This is all new and interesting information to six and seven year-old Chicagoans! The thing the Kindergartners liked the most this week, was the Beefeater in his frock-coat. The children thought it was hilarious that a soldier was wearing - and I quote - a girly dress!!  So much for culture...!!

Thank you to St. Mary of the Angels Kindergarten and 1st-grade teachers and students for having me in class.