Student Author Returns to Elementary School to Share Story
MacArthur High School senior Sydney Schneider walked the halls of her former elementary school, Gardiners Avenue Elementary School, on Nov. 3, no longer a young student but a published author. Her children's book, "Chip and Dip" which was recently published on the website Blurb, was created based on a class assignment when she was an eighth-grader at Jonas E. Salk Middle School.
Schneider spent the day in library of Gardiners Avenue School to read her book and speak to third, fourth and fifth-grade students. She discussed her story, her process, inspiration and illustrations. She also shared her original assignment when she first wrote the story "Chip and Dip" and read an entry from her writing journal as a fifth grade student at Gardiners Avenue School.
"I hope that the students realize that I was them at one point and they can do whatever they set their minds to like I did," said Schneider.
In addition, Schneider shared her sewing creations with the students. With the help of her mother Danni Schneider, the two worked together to assemble stuffed characters of the book's stars, Chip and Dip. Students passed them around the room to see the creations up close.
Schneider's return also prompted excitement from her former teachers who stopped in the library to greet her during the day. At the end of the book sessions, Schneider handed each student a bookmark and signed copies of her book.
"I loved the book," said third-grader Kylie Kazin. "I really loved the rhymes."
