A treat indeed, what reading could be

Chris Walrod is energized about reading. Whether it’s the mountain of

books she wants to read and reread or she is watching her two sons

gobble up the written word, Walrod can be classified as a

bibliophile.

So, who better to lead the charge at for Read Across America at

Newport Coast Elementary than she? Read Across America is celebrated

March 2 -- on Theodore Geisel’s (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) birthday -- and

dedicates a day to making literature a top priority by encouraging

parents, or other adults, to show children by example that reading is

fun.

Walrod gathered her best girlfriends, worked their connections,

and accosted total strangers to come and read to children to make

this year’s celebration of reading one of the most memorable.

Columnist Lolita Harper caught up with her to find out just how

much of a task that was.

How did you get involved in the Read Across America campaign at

Newport Elementary?

My friend Sharon Murphy knew I was a reader and -- as she is known

to do -- signed me up for the Literacy Luncheon Committee two years

ago. Literacy Luncheon is a totally cool and unique fundraiser we

hold at Newport Coast Elementary to buy library books. From there,

Read Across America was the next obvious step for Sharon, Lisa

Thompson, and me. I loved the mandate of the National Education

Assn., which is for every child to be reading in the company of a

caring adult on Read Across America Day. The fact that Read Across

America is celebrated on Dr. Seuss’s birthday makes the day a festive

celebration of reading.

From what you observed on Tuesday, how did the students react to

the readers?

If a reader comes in and reads a book about a subject that is

meaningful to them, the kids -- kindergarten through sixth grade --

pick up on it. As Newport Beach Councilman Steve Bromberg read books

about dogs, the love of his own two Scottie Dogs shined through. The

kids could hardly wait for him to stop reading, so they could ask

questions about his dogs, and tell him all about their pets. Also,

the children loved and responded to props. Serene Stokes read “Song

and Dance Man” and brought in a top hat, cane, and tap shoes. I could

barely keep myself from going up to the front of the class and

breaking into song. Nick Becker brought his Olympic Medal. What an

honor for the kids to hold an actual Olympic medal. Capt. Glenn White

of the Newport Beach Fire Department not only let a student put his

firefighting gear on, but displayed the very interesting contents of

his pockets. When a reader shares their life experience with the

students, it almost guarantees them a captive audience when they

read.

Where did you go to find volunteers?

This is absolutely true -- almost all of the people we have

invited we have read about in the Daily Pilot. Throughout the year,

as I read about members of our community who have done something

inherently good, who have set a goal for themselves and succeeded, or

who serve as a positive role model, I tear out the article and file

it for January, when we send out invitations to read. Two of our

favorite readers were from human-interest articles in the Daily

Pilot.

Last year, Charles Ward read to the kids “Oh, the Places You’ll

Go!” -- a favorite Read Across America book. He drew parallels

between the book, and his journey on the Appalachian Trail, of which

he hiked the entire route. All of us -- children and adults -- were

enthralled. When he was done, the kids asked for his autograph.

Triathlete Mickie Shapiro was a wonderful reader this year. When

she finished “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein, we all had to

take a moment to compose ourselves. By the way, both Charles and

Mickie are senior citizens. Isn’t it great for the kids to be exposed

to people like that?

I am ashamed to say, but I also get volunteers while I am out and

about. I cornered Capt. White at Trader Joe’s. Just yesterday, Sharon

and I stopped a Crystal Cove Park Ranger at Coco’s. Likewise, Lisa

asked Assemblyman John Campbell, who was a terrific reader, if he

would speak at Literacy Luncheon next fall. So you see, we all help

each other out. And if you have any kind of a uniform on when we see

you, be prepared to say yes, because we don’t take no for an answer.

We try not to ask parents to come and read, in an effort to not

single anyone out. However, the last two years we have had to ask

parents to fill in at the last minute, and they have done an

outstanding job. Sharon’s husband David, who is CEO of Young &

Rubicam Brands, read “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” for the sixth

graders. He pointed out to them that Dr. Seuss himself had been

rejected by 27 publishers and was told he would never be a successful

artist. That is a great lesson for us all, but is especially relevant

to sixth graders as they prepare for the big jump into seventh grade.

I can imagine reading is an important part of your interaction

with your children. Can you explain why it is so crucial?

Reading in our house is crucial, especially after 8 p.m. when this

mom is done for the day. It’s quiet time and that means “find a book

and get in bed.” I love when one of my boys says “just let me stay up

and read till the end of this chapter.” Of course, I say yes. Twenty

minutes later, they have read another chapter or two. And on and on

it goes.

A few years ago, my boys began reading about the Civil War. One

book led to another until we absolutely had to take a Civil War trip.

Even though we were going to hire a guide in Gettysburg to explain

all the battles, after the first day we realized how unnecessary it

was. My boys, along with my husband, knew everything. Fights ensued

over who was going to get to describe every single detail in every

single battle. My fourth-grader at the time became irate after

hearing someone else’s guide describe a general in a way that he

completely disagreed with. We walked the battlefields and discussed

American history at length, and in depth. The four of us shared an

amazing profound historical experience -- and it all began with a

book.

What are some of the favorite books in your house? And why?

I just tripped over three mythology books, a book about the solar

system, and a book of quotes from “Star Wars.” A stack that needs to

be put away includes: “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “Big Secrets,” “The

Darwin Awards,” “The Outermost House,” “How to Beat Your Dad at

Chess,” and “The Compleat Angler.” We have a lot of “The Complete

Idiot’s Guides to ...,” which is hopefully not a reflection on my

family. I guess favorite books are the ones we are reading right now.

Oh, and “The Official Scrabble Dictionary,” so I can cheat.

Did you like to read as a kid?

Loved, loved, loved to read as a kid -- still do. One of my

favorite memories is being read to. After recess, in Arizona, where

it is 150 degrees, our teacher would let us come in, put our head on

the desk, and close our eyes. He would read aloud for 15 or 20

minutes. I guess I should be embarrassed to tell you that was in

seventh grade. In my defense, he read “The Lives and Loves of Dobie

Gillis.” Pretty racy for back then. I hope that during Read Across

America, as the students relaxed in the library and were read to,

they got a sense of that wonderfulness.

What are some of your favorite books and why?

I’ve never thought about it before but my favorite books generally

have strong female protagonists, from “Madeline” and “Charlotte’s

Web” to “Caddie Woodlawn” and up through “The Poisonwood Bible,”

“Like Water for Chocolate” and “The Red Tent.” I love books about the

West by authors such as Wallace Stegner and Norman Maclean, and I

can’t wait to read Sandra Day O’Connor’s memoir of ranch life. I will

read biographies of almost anyone, and I read absolutely anything

about Bob Dylan. I guess I’m just the simple “strong-protagonist-

western-nosy-Bob-Dylan-loving” type.

How great is Dr. Seuss?

Dr. Seuss, also known as Theodore Geisel is beyond great. He

brought intelligent humor to children’s books. Even his doodles are

little works of art. He had a wonderful career and is a role model

for us all. I think it is fantastic that his widow, Audrey Geisel,

has made an effort to keep Dr. Seuss out there in the public eye.

What are some tips for parents to keep encouraging their children

to read?

First tip: Don’t buy boring books. Unfortunately they are as

plentiful as great books, especially in youth chapter books. Second:

Snuggle up in bed together and read out loud to your kids. Harry

Potter is perfect. Only one picture at the beginning of the chapter

and lots and lots of opportunities to imagine. Third: Discuss what

they are reading. Read it yourself if you haven’t already.

Any closing thoughts?

The fact that members of our community will take the time out of

their day to come and read for 20 minutes, and talk to the students,

is so gratifying. I hope that every child will experience the feeling

that I had in seventh grade of just closing your eyes, opening your

ears, and being swept away into another world.