Tea showcases children’s books

Students from C.H. Campbell Elementary read stories they had written to an audience of family and friends.

By JON MOFFETT

Vindicator Staff Writer

CANFIELD — Students from C.H. Campbell Elementary School proved you don’t have to be a New York Times best-selling-author to draw a crowd.

The school had an Author’s Tea Party for 23 children from Laura Kollat’s first-grade class in the school library in front of family and friends.

Kollat called the party “a celebration of the students’ writing.”

“They’ve worked hard all year to learn how to write and how to read. They’ve written their own stories and have chosen their favorite story and invited their parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents and whoever else wants to come to hear the stories read out loud.”

Each student selected a story he or she had written and illustrated during the year to read aloud to classmates and guests. The class was divided into two groups with one group introducing the readers from the other.

Each story was typed, illustrated and included a dedication and “about the author” page. Students wrote about many topics, including family trips, friends and siblings.

Many wide smiles and teary eyes filled the library as the students recalled their favorite stories. Sitting around small tables adorned with brightly-colored tablecloths and centerpieces made of Popsicle sticks, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings listened.

The entire room burst into laughter as Grace Manapora, 7, read about her father arguing with a basketball referee in a story titled, “Angry Ref vs. Angry Dad.”

Jen DiGiacomo, of Canfield, had to wipe a few tears from her eyes after hearing her son, Joseph, 7, share with everyone his experience at a Cleveland Cavaliers game. Joseph described the hour-and-20 minute trip and how watching a LeBron James slam dunk was the highlight.

Joseph was greeted by a high five and a hug and a kiss from his mother after he finished the story.

DiGiacomo said the event was a lot of fun.

“It’s awesome. I think it’s a great opportunity to showcase their talents that they learned in the first grade,” she said.

Mark and Michele Peckman brought their twin 6-year-old daughters, Madison and Miranda, to watch their brother, Matthew, 7, read his story about watching his sisters perform the roles of angels in a Christmas play.

“It was very special to us. It was very dear to our hearts that he paid tribute to his sisters, who were in a play over at their kindergarten,” Mark said. “It shows their creative skills, takes them out of their shell and lets them use their imagination. A lot of time when they’re at home they don’t do those sort of things, but when they’re here it’s another side of them that we get to see.”

The event wasn’t just fun for the parents, Kollat said.

“This is our celebration for how hard they worked all year,” she said. “It means a lot to them. They become so proud of themselves because when they come into first grade they don’t all know how to read and write. But that’s what first grade is. And here we are at the end of the year, and they all know how to now.”

jmoffett@vindy.com