Award-winning author visits Mallett School

FARMINGTON – Elementary students welcomed a special guest Monday, when a nationally-recognized author stopped in for a visit.

Cynthia Lord, who lives in Brunswick, is best known for writing Rules, which won the John Newbery Honor in 2007 as well as seven other national awards. In the book, which focuses on a young girl named Catherine who is simultaneously challenged and envious of her autistic brother, David.

Lord, a former sixth- and first-grade teacher, recently completed a children’s picture book, Hot Rod Hamster. This was the story she shared with students at Mallett School.

Lord also spoke about the four keys to being a writer: reading, writing, learning and dreaming, as well as some of her favorite books when she was in elementary school; familiar titles such as Frog and Toad are Friends, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlotte’s Web.

“I cry every time I read it,” Lord said.

Lord also shared an excerpt from her report card from elementary school.

“Cynthia would rather stare out the window than get work done.”

Lord wrote Hot Rod Hamster after watching the antics of her own pet, Rocky, who would tear around the house in a clear, plastic bubble. The story, which uses a catchy rhyming scheme and bright pictures by artist Derek Anderson, focuses on a fuzzy hamster determined to win a race. Lord read the story to the large assembly, who were quietly focused unless prompted to make engine sounds, selecting their favorite car or helping the main character choose flame decals.

“People reading your book,” Lord said, “that is the very best part about being an author.”

Read DDG’s Kenny Brechner’s interview with Cynthia Lord here.