Author Dan Gutman Visits Bayville Elementary School Students

BERKELEY, NJ — Children’s book author Dan Gutman spent Thursday morning speaking to students in Bayville Elementary School.

Though the New York-based author visited another school in the district in previous years, this was his first time meeting with students in the Bayville Elementary School.

Gutman’s virtual visit marked the 9th annual author visit at the school, said media specialist Melissa Stierle.

“It’s a little different this year, but we have hosted one every single year and I wasn’t ready to not have it happen,” Stierle said. “It’s a little bit of normalcy even though it’s in a different way. They’re used to an author visit and this is really one of the only assemblies we were able to pull off in the virtual venue.”

Over the past month, students in kindergarten through the fourth grade read one of Gutman’s newest books, “Mrs. Bacon is Fakin’.”

Stierle found Gutman’s work uplifting during the coronavirus pandemic. Beginning in March, Gutman would read aloud two chapters from his books every weekday at 2 p.m.

Gutman continued his read-alouds for 100 days running into the summer months. Stierle and her two sons would often tune in.

“I thought it was really kind of him to give his time that way. He would answer your questions that you typed in to him and my boys really enjoyed it,” she said.

Stierle has shared his read-alouds with her students and other teachers, adding that some people may feel like they already know him ahead of his visit on Thursday.

Gutman answered students' questions about his books and told them about his career as a writer, including the moments of rejection and success he's experienced. He also read a part of his new book “Weird School," which hasn’t been published yet.

With support from the school’s PTA, Stierle was able to secure 400 books for each student to hold in their hands and read.

“It’s been obviously a weird year and the givebacks from the PTA to the families and students have been hard to come by and we were very fortunate that the PTA jumped on board,” Stierle said. “I want our kids to know that the library is still here for them. Books are still here for them. Reading is a great way to leave your space when you can’t leave your space.”

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