Children's author inspires local kids - "Reading is Magic"


Altrusa's Literacy committee was pleased to bring author Michael Shoulders to Montrose and Olathe elementary schools to get local children excited about reading. Shoulders gave a presentation at an Altrusa District Ten conference several years ago, and our local members who heard him felt his dynamic and entertaining messages on the importance and the magic of reading would be highly beneficial to our young students. Altrusa, with the help of additional grants from Rotary Club and Academic Booster Club, arranged for Shoulders to come to Montrose to give presentations at 5 local elementary schools and to meet with our local library staff over the course of 3 days.

Altrusa members had a surprise visit from Shoulders at our February 2 meeting, as he stopped in briefly between multiple presentations for Oak Grove and Northside. He entertained us with a reading -- no, more of a performance -- of one of his books, V is for Volunteer, an alphabetical tribute to his home state of Tennessee.  His Elvis ("E is for Elvis") was a particular hit with his audience.

Michael Shoulders is a former educator, and the author of nine children's books, including Say Daddy, which won a National Parenting Publications award.  His presentations to local students taught them how an idea can eventually become a book, and he told us that an idea he had while eating breakfast with Altrusa members at The Daily Bread may grow into a new book.

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