Imaginations, Pens Flow at Young Writers’ Fair

The pen proved mightier than Little League or video games Saturday at the Ventura Unified School District’s Young Writers’ Fair.

Hundreds of students and their parents eschewed other pastimes in favor of more literary pursuits at the ninth annual event at Junipero Serra Elementary School. And if information is power, the young authors frightened the adverbs out of some adults.

“I told my wife, ‘This is scary,’ ” said Mark Thompson, 38, after listening to daughter Danielle, 6, read her book “Penny, Lisa, Thumbelina and the Hunter.” “We’re not going to be able to argue with her pretty soon because she’s going to know more than we do.”

While plenty of grown-up aspiring writers spend years agonizing over their novel or screenplay, nearly 6,000 students in the district showed no hesitation in immersing themselves in the written word, judging by the piles of poems, stories and essays on exhibit.

Some showed a capability for an incisive turn of phrase. Blanche Reynolds fourth-grader Jonathan Shih sounded like a budding Paul Simon with his “I’m a rock,” a forlorn essay that brought to mind the searching 1960s Simon and Garfunkle classic.

“They choose my friends and family, but never choose me,” he wrote. “Such a little rock. Such a dull colored rock. Nobody would like me. I am desperate to have somebody to love and cherish.”

One of three children’s book authors in attendance who signed autographs and chatted with youngsters came away impressed--and with plenty of story ideas.

“I had a lot of kids who told me that they wanted to grow up and be a writer,” Los Angeles author Susan Patron said. “They have so much imagination. My favorite started, ‘Once there was a girl who never pretended.’ Wouldn’t you want to read that book?”

Catherine Rodriguez proudly watched daughter Christina, 8, have her picture taken next to a quilt with painted pockets on each square illustrating the short pupil-penned tales contained within.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for kids to express themselves,” Catherine Rodriguez said.

Fair founder and first-grade teacher Jean Eaton spoke about how writing builds self-esteem. One author noted that reading and writing is an indicator of future career and scholastic success. But the young wordsmiths likely didn’t know and didn’t care about such bookish rationalizations.

“I’ve already wrote two books,” said Danielle. “I love it.”