Author discusses his book to Numa students

Bill Slentz, an author of children’s books that lives here in Fallon, recently visited Numa Elementary School to talk with the students in first through third grades.

Norene Swenson, the school counselor, had previously read his book, “The Adventures of Arnold A. Airplane and Billy the Bully” to all of the first through third-grade classes. The students were excited to meet an author and eager to hear about how Slentz wrote his book.

Slentz, who loves airplanes and flies as a hobby, brought his model planes depicting the characters in his book to show the students. He had Arnold A. Airplane, Herman H. Helicopter and Billy B. Barnstormer (the bully). He told the students he had been bullied when he was in school, and that he believes it is important to remember that everyone is unique and special in their own way. In his book, Arnold is brave and reaches out to Billy as a friend. He encouraged the students to do the same.

Slentz also talked to the students about writing. He had them think about using their imaginations and creating pictures with their words so that they could share their ideas and adventures with others. He talked about how he loved Dr. Seuss and liked to use rhyming words when he wrote his own book. He reinforced that punctuation and spelling are important so that people can understand and enjoy the stories, and told the students that he also had to spend a lot of time editing and making corrections.

Since Numa students are working on their winter writing assessments this week, it was a great opportunity to hold a contest for the students. Everyone was excited to learn that the grand prize for the best writing in each grade level is an opportunity for that student and their parents to go for a ride with Slentz in his airplane.