Schools

Famed Kids Author Coming to Ballwin Elementary

Jon Scieszka, author of beloved hit children's books such as "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs," will visit at least two spots in St. Louis next week.

Renowned children's author Jon Scieszka is scheduled to appear at Ballwin Elementary School on Tuesday to speak with students about the world of literature.

It's a place that Scieszka believes needs to be expanded. Among other duties he took on when he was named the country's first-ever Ambassador for Children's Literature in 2008, Scieszka (pronounced Sheh-ska) was asked to become a sort of disciple for youth reading initiatives, the New York Times wrote. That also led to the creation of the Guys Read program, which encourages parents to be supportive of their kids' reading, including non-fiction, graphic novels and comic strips, humoring writing, magazines and online text.

Scieszka was succeeded last year by Katherine Paterson as the U.S. Ambassador. His quirky infusion of different cultural inluences in kids' literature continues, however, and may even be Scieszka's trademark.

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His books to date include the best-selling True Story of the Three Little Pigs, which twists the classic tale through the perspective of the wolf, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Stupid Fairy Tales, and other acclaimed works.

Students' parents and family are welcome to visit Ballwin Elementary to hear Scieszka address second through fith graders at the school Tuesday. For fans in the general public without a connection to Ballwin Elementary, however, worry not. Scieszka is scheduled to speak at the St. Louis County Library the following evening.

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His appearances next week coincide with the promotion of a new series of "chapter" bookes (intended for older gradeschool readers) Scieszka has written titled Spaceheadz. The events were organized with the help of Pudd’N Head bookstore in Webster Groves, Rockwood School District representative Gina Tarte said.

In honor of Sciezka's arrival to Missouri, Ballwin-Ellisville Patch offers a video adaptation of his hit "True Story" made by an student at Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, MO. It lacks the unique and oddly-engrossing illustrations of Lane Smith, who paired with Scieszka on multiple projects. Still, it may be worth checking out for the voice-acting and Yiddish soundtrack alone.

Appearances by Children's Author

Jon Scieszka:Β 

Β St. Louis County Library Headquarters (students and family members only) (general public) 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5


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