Stuart Gibbs Visits Campus as Part of the Visiting Author Program

Gibbs told the students that he had always wanted to be an author; he knew it in second grade. He shared where he got the ideas for the series FunJungle, Moon Base Alpha and Spy School, including knowing a real-life astronaut and being able to work at a zoo after hours to learn more about the animals. 

To close out the presentation, Gibbs spoke about his soon-to-be-released books and fielded questions from students. He also told the students how, even though he received multiple rejection letters, he never gave up on his dream of becoming a published author and encouraged the students to always work hard. When students asked Gibbs what books he enjoyed when he was their age, he mentioned perennial favorites like Encyclopedia Brown and titles by Roald Dahl. 

FWCD’s Visiting Authors Program exposes students to current authors and illustrators of books they read and enjoy. The authors/illustrators interact with students, helping them make personal connections between their own reading experiences and with the author. These visits also allow a common learning experience across grade levels and divisions.

Perry and Nancy Lee Bass Distinguished Teaching Chair in Lower School and Head Librarian Tammy Wolford shared that Gibbs was the perfect author to kick off this year’s Visiting Authors Program because of his university appeal. “We knew he was an author that nearly all of our Middle School students had read. His books also appeal to our third and fourth graders,” she said. “Mrs. [Kim] Gardner shared that she has set up a separate cart filled with his books in the Moncrief Library so that students can find them quickly. When you have that kind of interest in an author it speaks volumes.  

“We had Upper School students who were thrilled he was coming as well as Lower School students who woke up saying, ‘It’s Stuart Gibbs’ Day!,’” Wolford continued. “We are blessed to be able to provide opportunities like this for our campus!”