Importance of Reading

John Gray speaks to students at Woodland Hill Montessori School

NORTH GREENBUSH, N.Y. >> Local columnist and television anchor, John Gray, was invited to speak to students at Woodland Hill Montessori School Tuesday afternoon. Gray, who is a weekly columnist with The Record, an author, and anchor at WTEN News Channel 10, talked with the grades four through eight students about how to go about writing a book and getting it published. The kids were full of enthusiasm and excited to hear from Gray and his story writing experience. “It’s amazing, the kids here are great, the questions were fantastic. I think we have some fu- ture writers in this room. It’s just wonderful to connect with children at this level and see their excitement about reading and short stories, great stuff,” Gray said of the kids and their affinity for reading.

Gray, brought copies of his children’s books, “God Needed a Puppy” and read a soon to be released “Keller’s Heart,” as well as a new book in the works. All of which the kids seemed to enjoy.

“The Keller book is based on the dog that my wife and I adopted a year and a half ago. We named him Keller, a blind and deaf dog that was abandoned. It’s a story about him, connecting with a little girl who’s deaf, who’s having trouble fitting in at school and together they show people to look past what you see on

“It’s just wonderful to connect with children at this level and see their excitement about reading and short stories, great stuff.” — John Gray

the outside and what’s inside is clearly what matters and not to think somebody’s limited because they may be a little bit different than you or they can’t do something you can do and that’s the message for kids,” Gray said of the meaning behind the book.

Gray also mentioned there will be a book signing for “Keller’s Heart” at the Barnes & Noble in Colonie Center, Feb. 9 at 1:00 p.m., where in addition to buying the book and having it signed, people can meet Keller, who’s an Australian Sheppard.

As advice goes for the aspiring writers in the room, Gray imparted these words of wisdom upon them.

“If they want to write, read. Read, read, read. Read Harry Potter. Read stuff you’re assigned. Read stuff you’re not assigned. Read stuff that makes you smile or laugh or cry and then sit down and write your own stories. Don’t be afraid to write whatever you want to write. Write it for you, don’t worry about the rest of the world and what they’ll think and then take it from there,” Gray said.

MICHAEL GWIZDALA— DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Students at Woodland Hill Montessori School listen as John Gray reads one of his books to them during a visit Tuesday afternoon.

John Gray speaks to students at Woodland Hill Montessori School.

MICHAEL GWIZDALA— DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Students gather around to listen to John Gray at Woodland Hill Montessori School.

A Woodland Hill Montessori School student reads a book written by John Gray.

John Gray reads to students at Woodland Hill Montessori School.

Woodland Hill Montessori School students pose for a photo with John Gray.