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Writer brings 'the magic of story' to Alpine Elementary students

| 12 Mar 2016 | 12:32
    Pre-kindergarteners to second-graders at Alpine Elementary School gathered in a series of assemblies to hear author Kay Winters speak about her creative process.
    Pre-kindergarteners to second-graders at Alpine Elementary School gathered in a series of assemblies to hear author Kay Winters speak about her creative process.
    Winters uses Alpine Vice-Principal Peter Miller's forehead to explain a point while addressing the students.
    Winters uses Alpine Vice-Principal Peter Miller's forehead to explain a point while addressing the students.
    The writer demonstrates a concept at Alpine Elementary's assembly by ringing a bell.
    The writer demonstrates a concept at Alpine Elementary's assembly by ringing a bell.

By Rose Sgarlato
SPARTA — In celebration of Love of Reading Week and Dr. Seuss’s birthday, Alpine Elementary School hosted author Kay Winters last Friday.

Pre-kindergarteners to second-graders gathered in a series of assemblies to hear the author speak about her creative process. Winters draws on her prior professional experience as a classroom teacher, and often her fiction and non-fiction books have school-related themes.

“I loved when my students listened to stories,” Winters said. “I get my ideas from things that have happened to me. As a writer, I pay attention to those things.”

Some of the more popular titles include: “ My Teacher for President, “Who’s Coming for Christmas?” and “The Bears Go to Town.”

“We take a little piece of something we know, and we weave the magic around it,” she said.

On the author’s website, kaywinters.com, Winters talks about her shift to history-related subject matter.

“When I was a student, I have to confess hated history. Who cared about all those dates, those lists of events? It was only as an author that I discovered the 'story' in history."

Her forays into history included “Abe Lincoln,” “Voices of Ancient Egypt,” and “Colonial Voices.”

Winters is currently writing “Voices of the Underground Railroad," and her publications have been included in International Reading Association lists, Notable Book lists, Junior Library Guild and Best Books lists. She believes her books appeal to a wide audience of children, ranging from age 3 to 13.

“I love to bring the magic of story to kids, parents, teachers, librarians, and writers," said Winters.