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Author Helen Lester visits Lower School
Jan 24, 2005 8:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Helen Lester, best known as the author of children’s books such as “Tacky the Penguin,” “A Porcupine Named Fluffy,” “Me First” and “It Wasn’t My Fault,” visited the Lower School Monday, Jan. 24.
“Each year, students are treated to a visit by a guest author or illustrator in order to encourage them in their creative process and instruct them in diligence,” said Ann Glass, Lower School librarian. “I always try to find someone who appeals to students of all ages, and Helen Lester writes very funny books.”
Lester, a former elementary school teacher, began writing as a young mother who had taken temporary leave of teaching to spend time with her children.
“It was during this domestic period that several factors came into play which ultimately influenced my writing career,” she said. “First, in reading bedtime stories to my children, I remember being overjoyed every time I came across a story that would make me laugh, for often at 7:30 p.m. not much is funny. I decided the world needed more books that would amuse both adults and children.
“Second, my old second-graders came back to haunt me,” she continued. “And finally, I backed into writing thinking I was an illustrator. I’d always enjoyed drawing, and when a friend saw my work and casually suggested I should write children’s books, I thought ‘Prehaps. Why not?’”
Lester published her first book in 1979. A few years later, she paired with illustrator Lynn Munsinger, and they have since published more than a dozen books.
In addition to writing, Lester enjoys visiting schools all over the country encouraging children to write.
“Armed with messages such as ‘My books don’t jump out of the computer,’ ‘Not all of my stories get published’ and ‘Being edited isn’t fun, but it’s good for you,’ I’ve found a new form of teaching,” she said. “’Author: A True Story’ comes directly from my school visits, and is perhaps the book of which I am proudest. How fortunate I am to have backed into this wonderful field.”
Lester currently lives with her husband in Pawling, N.Y.
Past guest authors/illustrators have included Patricia Reilly Giff, David Winsniewski, Robert San Souci, Jack Gantos, Lynn Cullen, Mike Lester and Carmen Agra Deedy.
“Each year, students are treated to a visit by a guest author or illustrator in order to encourage them in their creative process and instruct them in diligence,” said Ann Glass, Lower School librarian. “I always try to find someone who appeals to students of all ages, and Helen Lester writes very funny books.”
Lester, a former elementary school teacher, began writing as a young mother who had taken temporary leave of teaching to spend time with her children.
“It was during this domestic period that several factors came into play which ultimately influenced my writing career,” she said. “First, in reading bedtime stories to my children, I remember being overjoyed every time I came across a story that would make me laugh, for often at 7:30 p.m. not much is funny. I decided the world needed more books that would amuse both adults and children.
“Second, my old second-graders came back to haunt me,” she continued. “And finally, I backed into writing thinking I was an illustrator. I’d always enjoyed drawing, and when a friend saw my work and casually suggested I should write children’s books, I thought ‘Prehaps. Why not?’”
Lester published her first book in 1979. A few years later, she paired with illustrator Lynn Munsinger, and they have since published more than a dozen books.
In addition to writing, Lester enjoys visiting schools all over the country encouraging children to write.
“Armed with messages such as ‘My books don’t jump out of the computer,’ ‘Not all of my stories get published’ and ‘Being edited isn’t fun, but it’s good for you,’ I’ve found a new form of teaching,” she said. “’Author: A True Story’ comes directly from my school visits, and is perhaps the book of which I am proudest. How fortunate I am to have backed into this wonderful field.”
Lester currently lives with her husband in Pawling, N.Y.
Past guest authors/illustrators have included Patricia Reilly Giff, David Winsniewski, Robert San Souci, Jack Gantos, Lynn Cullen, Mike Lester and Carmen Agra Deedy.
