“If my books can help children become readers, then I feel I have accomplished something important.” – Roald Dahl

I experienced the pleasure of reading to a group of little ones, ages three through eight, at St. Teresa’s Elementary School in Belleville, Illinois. I read to the students in groups. Being involved and sharing my story was such a treat!

We began our journey together by pretending we were all our own spaceships. Preparing to launch in the launchpad, we built up energy as we vibrated in our wiggling bodies to burst off toward the Sky. We stretched high to reach the ceiling. Then we bent down, in preparation for landing, to reach for our toes. We looked around for a nice place to land & settle into our reading spots. They listened well as I read Netsil’s Journey to Planet Nybor. I requested their help to make page three come alive. On the count of three, they all shouted, “BOOM!” as Sumi opened Netsil’s canopy. We worked on our shouts so they could grow loud and scary.

The children and I discussed being scared. We joined Sumi in breathing deeply to practice calming ourselves, as well as helping Kea relax at the Serenity Tree. Kea was embarrassed because Mali accidentally hit her with the game ball. We spoke about what we do when we become angry and embarrassed.

The youngest pre-preschoolers had such an imaginative time, we were unable to finish the story. My husband, Eric, and my daughter, Emily, helped pass out stickers to the students. We gave each student a sticker of their favorite character at the end of each reading.

We began the next reading with the pre-k four year-olds and kindergartners by exercising our inner spaceship. This reading was to a much larger group, but these students were quieter. Upon page three, their “BOOM!” was louder. This group was incredibly present in the breathing exercises. It is very calming to hear a room full of little kids breathing in and out. They volunteered definitions of “peculiar” until I explained the meaning. I enjoy engaging with students and encouraging them to think critically.
A girl raised her hand when Reggy was introduced to share that her family knows someone named Reggy. I asked for a show of hands how many other students knew someone with that name and several hands popped up. They were a fun group that made lots of connections. We discussed magic and the importance of believing in our inner magic. We passed out stickers.

Last, but certainly not least, first through third grade funneled in. The students landed in their reading spots with pleasure. Before reading to the this group or students, I discussed the title of the book with them and asked if anyone had ideas about how I came up with the title as well as Netsil’s name. They guessed several times before I shared that Netsil is Listen spelled backwards. This group’s “BOOM!” was by far the loudest. The students practiced taking deep breaths along with the characters. I only had one little boy report that the breathing did not make him feel relaxed, but I have a feeling that with a little more time and patience he will come around and find that breathing has a magic of its own.

Eric and my sister, Sherrie, helped pass out the last round of stickers. We had time for a question and answer session. The children were so intrigued by my journey! I could have spent the whole day with them. They asked, “How did you come up with the story? How long did it take to write the book? Where did the characters’ names come from? How does one make a book? Who drew the illustrations? Are you on social media?” (I am! @netsils_journey) I signed the students’ pre-ordered books and they were delivered after I left. It was a very enjoyable event. I loved spending my morning sharing Netsil’s Journey to Planet Nybor with the students at St. Teresa.

My daughter, Emily, & me! I am so grateful for my family’s support throughout this journey.

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-Robyn Weible & Grace Pavlovec