By Deborah Reed
WKTV Managing Editor
Michigan author Johnathan Rand will be a guest reader at Garfield Park’s Storytime in the Park on Tuesday, July 30 from 6:30-8 p.m.
Well-known among young readers throughout the state for his Michigan Chillers and American Chillers book series, Rand believes in the power of storytelling.
“Reading is great for everyone, and the earlier we begin, the better,” says Rand. “I think reading/storytelling is what really fires our imaginations, at least early in life.
“Fun events like Garfield Park keep kids engaged and reading throughout the summer months.”
Reading is a must – growing up is debatable
Keeping kids engaged is vital in preventing “summer slide.” Summer slide refers to a decline in reading, writing, math and science skills during the summer months when youth are not in school.
Storytime in the Park was founded by Dr. Barbara Lubic, GVSU Associate Professor, and Barbara Bush of Sundaes in the Heights in an effort to keep kids active in learning throughout the summer months.
Now in its 15th year, Storytime in the Park takes place at Garfield Park every Tuesday, June through August, from 6:30-8 p.m. A special event is featured each week, along with read-alouds throughout the night.
Each attending child receives a free book, and every family member gets free ice cream.
Rand traces his own love of reading back to when his parents read to him as a child.
“I loved stories, and was fascinated by the other worlds I was transported to. Additionally, both of my parents read for pleasure, and I saw them reading quite often. We had books readily available all over the house, and I thought that books were cool.”
Rand admits that he began reading at an early age because he thought that was what all grown-ups did.
“I wanted to be a grown-up as quickly as possible. Whether or not I actually grew up is debatable, but my love of reading and stories continues to grow even to this day.”
Creativity = Freedom
A love for reading, Rand says, is far more than just enjoying a story.
“When children read a book that excites them, often they desire to write their own stories,” says Rand. “They begin learning how to create, how to plan and form stories in their head even before they put them down on paper.
“Years ago, Frederick Douglass said that reading is ‘the path from slavery to freedom.’ Over 100 years later, the late Carl Sagan quoted that phrase and added that ‘there are many types of slavery and many types of freedom, but reading is still the path.’”
Rand’s experiences as a writer and instructor have shown him that the word successful carries a different meaning for him than it does for others.
“One of the most exciting things I’ve seen in kids who attended Author Quest (our summer writing camp for kids), is how so many of these children have grown up to be happy, successful adults,” says Rand.
“And when I say ‘successful,’ I’m not talking about good jobs with a stable income. I’m talking about true happiness, living life creatively, with a fulfilling, worthwhile purpose.”
Rand continued to say that while many of those children did not embark upon a path of writing, the reading and writing skills they cultivated in their youth had a direct and positive effect on their future.
Funny, offbeat and irreverent
The Michigan author is looking forward to the Storytime event and says he hopes to meet many parents because he believes the love of reading begins in the home.
However, the author also simply enjoys talking with youth of all ages. This has led Rand to speak at thousands of schools and teach writing skills through Author Quest.
“I make it no secret that I take a very guilty pleasure in my presentation to kids of all ages,” says Rand. “It’s important for me to get my message across, and that message really has nothing to do with the books I write.”
Though Rand loves hearing that children enjoy his books and appreciates the ability to earn his living through storytelling, he is aware not all children will enjoy the books he writes. And that is fine with him.
“I designed my program to be funny, a little offbeat and irreverent, and engaging. The message that I want to drive home is very clear: if you can read well and you can write well, you’re on your way to doing anything.”
When Rand speaks at schools, he takes it very seriously and gives it his all.
“I know it sounds strange, but the more I give, the more I seem to get,” says Rand. “It really is give and take, and my programs for kids have become a big part of what I do.”
Sharing creativity and a…Bigfoot Beast?
Rand plans to share some of his own background as well as read from his new Michigan Chillers novel, #21: Boyne City Bigfoot Beast, set to be released this summer.
“I’d like to combine a little bit of background information about myself in order to give kids a jump start with their own creativity, to let them know that they can do the same thing,” says Rand. “They can write a book, right here, right now.”
Registration and more information about Storytime in the Park can be found on their website and Facebook page.
Storytime in the Park is sponsored by Grand Valley State University’s College of Education and Community Innovation and the Frey Foundation.
