IWU student author reads newly published children’s book to Lakeview students

Local IWU student Kaelyn Johnson read her recently-published children’s book, “The Giraffe Without Spots,” to the children at Lakeview Elementary School last Friday.

The visit took place during Lakeview’s library period. This visit was made possible by the connection between Indiana Wesleyan and Lakeview Elementary School.

“Amy Smelser—she’s a professor over there at Indiana Wesleyan—reached out and said, ‘Hey, one of my students has written a book, and we’d love to get her in the elementary school and read in front of the kids,’” Rebecca Schronz, Head of School at Lakeview said. “I said, ‘Why don’t we have her come in during library?’”

Before reading her book, author Kaelyn Johnson met with Schrontz and the Lakeview librarian, Kasey Parks, to share the book in advance.

“We got to read her book beforehand,” Schrontz said. “And it’s a great book. I love it.”

Schrontz said the book stood out for its message about inclusion and confidence. While rooted in faith, the story was intentionally written to reach an audience of all different backgrounds.

“She wanted to make it a Christian book without being a Christian book,” Schrontz said. “She didn’t want to exclude other people from wanting to purchase her book, but it brings confidence and the idea that God made you in a certain way, and you’re special in that way.”

Schrontz noted that themes like these were especially important for kids today.

Johnson said she got the inspiration from her mom who saw a news story about a Giraffe born with no spots at a Tennessee zoo.

After reading the book aloud to Lakeview students, Johnson said she was encouraged by how well they understood its message, noting that the children told her kindness is more important than what she looked like.

A Lakeview student, Christopher, said that meeting the author in person was special for him.

“No one is too young to write a book,” Christopher said.