Well-known author visits Goessel
By DELBERT PETERS
Contributing writer
Nationally known author Patricia Polacco met April 12 with Goessel staff and students.
"The event went very well," said John Fast principal of the elementary school at Goessel.
At 7:30 that morning, Polacco was invited to have breakfast with staff members of USD 411 and was given a tour of the school facilities.
"We made arrangements with a local bookstore to have books available to sell if some of the adults wanted to purchase one of her books in order for the author to sign it," said Russ Pauls elementary librarian. "She visited with each teacher who wanted a book signed," continued Pauls, "and the conversation made the event much more meaningful than just getting a signature."
Students from kindergarten through sixth grade were entertained with her storytelling during an assembly. Polacco talked about the book she had written "Meteor!" Her interaction with the students was a delight as she visited about her experiences living on the farm and talked with students about disabilities and accepting those that are different.
Elementary school secretary Denise Nickel said, "It was fascinating to hear how many months a story and illustrations take to develop into a book."
When Polacco turned her attention to her book "The Keeping Quilt," she actually had the quilt with her.
"As she talked with the students, she wrapped up one-month-old Caiden Duerksen in the quilt," said Fast. "That was a special moment for the group."
Duerksen is the son of fifth grade teacher Megan Duerksen.
Polacco has written and illustrated over 30 children's books with several of them winning national awards.
Although she lives in Michigan and grew up in California, she uses experiences from her life as well as experiences from her ancestors in her books.
"Barb Goering, Goessel first grade teacher, had a large part in getting this famous author into the halls of Goessel elementary school," said Fast.
Polacco spent time on Sunday giving a presentation at Bethel College and then visited schools in Newton, Wichita and Goessel.
