SBCEO
More than 400 fifth through eighth graders from schools throughout Santa Barbara County met with authors and illustrators of children’s and young adult books during the 54th annual Author-Go-Round sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Education Office.
Participating authors and illustrators included:
- Anita Perez Ferguson, young adult author
- Andrea Loney, children’s book author
- Patricia Newman, children’s book author
- Sherry Shahan, children’s book and young adult author
- Sarah Sheerger, children’s book and young adult author
- Linda Joy Singleton, children’s book and young adult author
- Greg Trine, children’s graphic novel and young adult author
- Wendelin Van Draanen, children’s book and young adult author
Students from gathered to spend quality time with these published authors, leaving them inspired to write and illustrate. During the event, participants listened to presentations by each published author and then broke into small groups to discuss the craft of writing and illustration, leaving inspired and with deeper appreciation for the creative process . At the end of each day, four students received a book and poster signed by the authors in a raffle drawing.
This year saw the return of this beloved event to Santa Maria, expanding access for schools and districts in mid- and northern Santa Barbara County. Students from across the Santa Maria Valley and beyond joined the learning and fun at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center on Jan. 30 – 31, and students from the southern part of the county gathered on Feb. 6 – 7 at the Santa Barbara County Education Office Auditorium in Santa Barbara.
“My favorite part of the day is asking all the authors questions and finding out things like who inspired them and how they became authors,” said one participating student from Solvang School.
“The annual Author-Go-Round is a wonderful exchange of ideas that leaves students feeling empowered and inspired to dive into reading and writing,” said County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido. “It is with care and pride that SBCEO provides such unique and engaging opportunities for the students of Santa Barbara County and we are always thrilled to see an amazing turnout. We also extend our deepest appreciation to the talented authors who devoted their time and expertise to the hundreds of students who participated. This was an inspirational event all around!”
Participating students came from Ballard, Buellton, Carpinteria, College, Goleta, Hope, Lompoc, Orcutt, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria-Bonita, Solvang, and Vista Del Mar school districts.
