John Parker, children's author, loves to read aloud.
When I'm in a classroom and sharing stories with eager and bright-eyed youngsters, it's my happy place. There's a sense of magic when a story engages with young imaginations. When that happens, I feel as if I'm part of a process as old as time, and that I'm joined in spirit by all those tellers of tales long ago who recounted myth and legend to listeners sitting in the shadows beside the glowing campfire.
As an author of children's books, I've talked about writing in well over 200 schools, from Ahipara in the far north to Bluff in the deep south. And I've been in a number of schools lately in connection with the Barfoot & Thompson Young Authors Challenge, helping students and classes polish their winning entries.
When I'm talking to the littlies, I love their expressions - the open mouths, the wide eyes - as they recognise themselves in the story. And I smile to myself in anticipation when I know there's a big surprise coming round the next page that will have them laughing or squealing or gasping. They don't know it yet - but they soon will!
I can quickly tell when I'm in a productive classroom, where the students and the teacher seem at ease with each other. There's a collegial spirit, a sense of shared progress and discovery. There's respect but also lots of buzz and fun. Everyone's having a good time. When I'm sharing ideas about writing in such a classroom it's always a happy place for me.