Hedden students had a great time meeting award winning author, Janet Wong, on Friday, January 19.  Mrs. Wong began the day with an all-school assembly complete with readings from her many books and the stories behind many of them. 

She encouraged the students to publish their own work and to never give trying.  She inspired us with stories from her own life, including telling them why she gave up her job as a highly-paid labor relations lawyer for Universal Studios to become a children's poet/writer.

Each grade level returned to the gym later in the day for specially designed writing workshops led by the author.  Students wrote "gift poems," by creating similies about someone they loved.

Mrs. Wong has been featured on the Oprah show and was a special guest at the White House.  You can read more about her at www.janetwong.com.