A.C. Whelan School hosts two award-winning authors

By Melissa Moore-Randall

Students at A.C. Whelan Elementary School recently had the opportunity to meet two award-winning authors. They experienced the lessons related to storytelling when acclaimed author Pam Muñoz Ryan visited. She spoke to students about her life, her award-winning books and how she became a writer. Ryan, best known for award-winning “Esperanza Rising” was part of the special literacy event associated with the United States of Readers. The United States of Readers provides students with 10 free books each school year. Students were given free copies of some of Muñoz Ryan’s books.

Earlier in the month, another award-winning children’s author, Ada Ari, also visited the school. Her presentation included storytelling, dance and cultural exploration of classrooms. Ari took the students on a “virtual trip” to Ghana and taught the students Azonto, which is a popular dance of Ghana. The excitement continued as Ari performed one of her storytelling pieces, drawing from a traditional African folktale. She introduced the students to a lively character, a spider named Nancy, also called Anansi, a well-known figure in West African folklore. While telling the story, Ari asked the students to act out parts of the story, such as weaving spider webs or mimicking the characters’ movements.

Ari’s books teach children about specific African countries, customs and histories. Ari, an educator, entrepreneur and cofounder of KOLI & OLUM, aims to promote diversity and inclusion in children’s literature. Ari gives a percentage of the profits from her books to orphanages in Africa, showing her dedication to cultural conservation and community support.