NEW CASTLE —
New Wilmington and Pulaski elementary students visited yesterday with children’s author Karen Lynn Williams.
Williams spoke to the youngsters in three assemblies at New Wilmington.
Williams, formerly from the Pittsburgh area, has authored more than 20 children’s books that reflect on her varied global and culturally rich experiences. She has lived and traveled extensively throughout Africa and Haiti and lives on a Navajo reservation in Arizona.
To prepare for her visit, the students were read several of her books and created crafts that were on display throughout the school.
Greeting Williams outside the multi-purpose room, for instance, was a sign with a welcome message and a handprint of each student.
There also were multiple displays of “galimoto,” taken from Williams book of the same name. In it, an African boy named Kondi is determined to make a toy vehicle made of wires — a galimoto — and goes about gathering up the wire he needs.
A review of “Galimoto” by Publisher’s Weekly said “Williams’ gentle text and (Catherine) Stock’s soft watercolors capture the essence of life in a small African village. Children .. will warm to this tale of a boy's persistence and not-so-small accomplishment.”
Other books by Williams that were read to the children were “Circle of Hope,” “When Africa Was Home,” “Tap Tap,” “My Name is Sangoel,” “Four Feet, Two Sandals” and “Gugu’s House.”
Williams went on to speak last night at Westminster College and did a book signing there after her talk.
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Children’s author Karen Lynn Williams speaks to kindergartners and first graders at New Wilmington Elementary School. Dan Irwin
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Write stuff: Children’s author visits Wilmington youngsters
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