Michigan author chills at Crissman Elementary

Michigan author Johnathan Rand, whose children’s books include the popular Michigan Chillers and American Chillers series, recently visited Crissman Elementary as part of the school’s March Is Reading Month celebration. 

Rand regaled the first through sixth graders with funny anecdotes about his path to becoming a writer and how he finds story ideas in everyday occurrences. At the same time, he stressed the message that reading well and writing well will enable students to do anything.

He explained that while still in college, he landed his dream job as a radio disc jockey because he could also write commercials and jingles for the station. Having good reading and writing skills set him apart from more experienced applicants vying for the position.

Rand told the students they too will need those skills, even if they want to play in the NBA or even become a rock star.

He shared his ‘ancient secret’ that “reading is not something you do, reading is a place that you go.” Vividly citing a captivating book about cycling in West Africa that he is currently reading, he described how books can open doors. They can take you to places and adventures you might otherwise never experience, he told the students. 

He asked the students to always carry a pencil with them because it can become a magic wand – conveying their thoughts and ideas into words for others to share.

He advised them that “If you want to become an author, don’t just be a writer – learn to be a re-writer.” The point being not to be satisfied with the first draft, but to find and fix errors and put your best effort into re-writing for whoever reads your work.

Rand also conducted an after-school ‘Write-shop’ for two dozen budding young authors, that Crissman media center teacher Courtney Conley described as “awesome.” She added that Rand had the students practice several right and left brain activities to gear them up to write. He also went through strategies of starting out simply and then becoming more and more detailed.

 “I could not believe how many kids were so engaged,” Conley said.

Crissman’s month-long March Reading celebration kicked-off with a visit from Cyd Moore, illustrator of the I Love You Stinky Face books. Themed events such as Turn off the TV and Read Week, Non-fiction Convention, Reading Is Thinking Week and Get Caught Reading Week were scheduled, along with special reader visits, including Macomb Sheriff Anthony Wickersham and Oakland University’s Grizzly mascot.