Author opens up to audience
David Bouchard began reading for the first time when he was 27 years old.
“I came to see the power of reading,” he said. “There are so many blessings that come with it.”
The 54-year-old Canadian best-selling author told about 70 people the importance of literacy, especially in children, Tuesday afternoon and evening in the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium.
During the presentation, Bouchard gave quizzes to audience participants, awarding them with different autographed copies of his books.
The author of 28 books said he is dyslexic, and lied his way through the system to work in education for 27 years. He began writing in 1989 and retired six years ago to write and present full-time.
“He was very open with his stories, his failures,” said Mount Pleasant senior Carrie Jaloszynski.
Bouchard said he failed his two older children by not teaching them the importance of reading.
He said there are three things adults must do when teaching children to read.
“We need to stop testing and labeling children,” he said “We need to raise and lower the bar according to ability. Give kids time to learn. They also need a role model. Some kids don’t have a role model — my sons didn’t have a role model. And finally, accessibility. Kids need books to be accessible to them.”
He has spoken across the U.S. and Canada to a total audience of about 600,000 people.
CMU’s College of Education and Human Sciences brought him to campus in conjunction with the Timothy Johnson Endowment fund, set up for Timothy Johnson’s parents and grandfather, all graduates of CMU’s education program.
“He encouraged us to read and be good role models for children,” said Stephanie Earle, Sheridan senior.
