#WorldReadAloudDay

Happy February!

Reading Cows Can't Be Clowns at the West Sangamon Public Library June 2025

There is so much to love about this month. It's short, and it's filled with holidays. There's Groundhog Day, (Sorry, Phil says six more weeks of winter), Valentines Day, (it's this Saturday, so if you haven't sent out cards or bought gifts for your loved ones, you still have time), and Presidents' Day. (I miss the double President celebrations where both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln had their own day.) Ash Wednesday is February 18th which means in six weeks, it'll be Easter and Springtime. Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17th. I had hoped my picture book on kindness, Mr. Crumpet's Kindness Day Surprise, would be available by then, but I've learned from my publisher not to expect it to debut until 2027!

One of my favorite celebrations in February is #WorldReadAloudDay. Why? I'm an author. I love to read and write. And I love to share the books I've written by reading them to school children.

I was contacted by the principal of Harmony School of Endeavor in Austin, Texas a month ago. She asked if I'd read to their 2nd graders on World Read Aloud Day, February 4th. Four classrooms. Four Google Meet sessions. Honored, I accepted.

Three of the teachers choose The Memory Jar and one asked for Cows Can't Be Clowns. I sent these teachers handouts before my readings. They included coloring pages and fun activities, How to Make a Memory Jar instructions along with a worksheet for the child to draw their favorite memory and write about it., and a farm activity booklet where the child can color, do math and follow a maze.

My reading schedule - in the morning, 9:40 and 10:05, in the afternoon, 1:00 and 1:25. The first session went well. No problem. The 2nd session, I messed up trying to share my screen but figured out the problem. My 3rd session at 1:00, a problem arose. Our connection was lost. I tried to join again, twice, and when that failed, I started to dial the school. Before my call was completed, the screen opened, and I was able to read my book to the children with just a few minutes left for Q & A. As soon as I signed off with Classroom #3, I clicked to join Classroom #4. 

My favorite part of reading to the children are the questions they ask when I'm done. Some of the children showed interest in my Aunt Luella who inspired The Memory Jar, and they asked questions about her. I could tell many of them have not yet experienced a family member with dementia. Perhaps there will be a breakthrough for memory loss, and these children won't know the heartbreak of a loved one not knowing who they are.

If any of you would like to receive handouts for my books, email me at authordebradaugherty@gmail.com and tell me which book you'd like handouts for. I'll be happy to send them your way. Also, if you know a teacher who'd like a free zoom visit, give them my email address and tell them to contact me.