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Award-Winning Visiting Author Teaches Lower School Valuable Reading and Writing Skills
Soontornvat

Lower School enjoyed learning from Visiting Author Christina Soontornvat on October 25.

The writer of more than 20 books for children, Soontornvat has received three Newbery Honors and is the only author to be awarded a Newbery for fiction and nonfiction in the same year. In two separate presentations to Lower School students, Soontornvat spoke of her upbringing - she grew up spending much time inside her parents’ Thai restaurant in Texas, and fell in love with books in that time. However, she didn't start writing books of her own till she was about 30 years old.

She encouraged the young students to write about subjects they enjoy - she writes often about her Thai heritage - and recognize that writing is a group process. She has editors who help make her writing better and illustrators who add the pictures for her books.

In addition to her presentations, Soontornvat led a writing workshop for several dozen students. Students also decorated the library in advance of her visit with images from her background and books, and enjoyed one of her favorite meals, mango sticky rice.

Students came away from the day even more eager to read and write!

Visiting author Christina Soontornvat speaks with Lower School students in Johnson Theater on October 25, 2023. 

Visiting author Christina Soontornvat speaks with Lower School students in Johnson Theater on October 25, 2023. 

Soontornvat also led a writing workshop for Lower School students.

Soontornvat also led a writing workshop for Lower School students.

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