The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read

Hi Everyone,
My SECOND multicultural nonfiction picture book is almost here. It is called THE OLDEST STUDENT: How Mary Walker Learned to Read, and it’s written for grades Pre-k-3. It is published by Schwartz & Wade (Random House Books), and it’s BEAUTIFUL!

I grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and when I was in elementary school, the legend of how Mary Walker learned to read when she was over 100 years of age was already well-known. My elementary class visited The Mary Walker Foundation once, but shortly thereafter the foundation closed due to unknown reasons. I never forgot Mary’s story, and while researching my African American pictorial history, called AFRICAN AMERICANS OF CHATTANOOGA: A HISTORY OF UNSUNG HEROES, I learned even more about her life. My most pressing question was what in the world happened to persuade her to delay learning to read until age 116. As I researched (and as I lived my own life and faced challenges that made me put some of my desires on the back burner) I found out how circumstances can lead to a delay. I felt this was another story the world needed to hear, and thankfully, Schwartz & Wade Books agreed with me. I hope this story touches you the way it touched me. Thanks for your support!

Product details

Age Range: 4-8 years
Grade Level: Pre-school – 3
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (January 7, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1524768286
ISBN-13: 978-1524768287
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds