There's an amazing organization in Nigeria called eRead Africa. They give e readers to kids in schools and my books are some of the ones downloaded to entire classrooms. So every few months I've been lucky enough to be able to Skype with the kids who are reading my books. Sometimes the Skype is clear as a bell. Other times not so much. Today was not so much. Rain in Nigeria made the connections wonky, and I had no sound coming through on my end. But I told the kids to wave to me when they thought something was funny, and they waved a lot. The teacher wrote questions on paper and I answered them. Sometimes the screen went blank and I had to call back. It was a little crazy. But we communicated in all kinds of ways. And when I asked the kids to burp for me, I could see them belching--and laughing. I didn't need sound to know what was going on.A good belch doesn't need to be heard to be appreciated!
There is nothing like books (I would say literature, but come on, I mean, I write about a kid who burps!) to bring the world together. And I love when kids read. I love when they laugh even more. And burping isn't bad either. eRead Africa made my day. Maybe even my week. Technology may not always work perfectly, but I sure am glad it gives me opportunities like this one.
xo
N
There is nothing like books (I would say literature, but come on, I mean, I write about a kid who burps!) to bring the world together. And I love when kids read. I love when they laugh even more. And burping isn't bad either. eRead Africa made my day. Maybe even my week. Technology may not always work perfectly, but I sure am glad it gives me opportunities like this one.
xo
N