Lower School students from Pre-K to grade two eagerly gathered on Friday, May 16, for two interactive sessions with Ethan Berlin, the author of one of their favorite books, I Am Not a Dog Toy. Berlin captivated the young audience with an animated reading of his book, which tells the story of an optimistic bear who learns an important lesson about friendship. Afterward, Berlin engaged the students in a lively discussion, sharing his insights into what makes a story compelling.

According to Berlin, the essential ingredients of a great story include a main character, a challenge, a resolution to that challenge, and a meaningful conclusion. Using his “story recipe,” he encouraged the students to create their own imaginative tales, tapping into their creativity and humor.

I Am Not a Dog Toy relates the tale of an exuberant bear, dressed in a vest with an array of pockets, who is gifted to a small girl. Bear is excited to play with the girl, but she is not enthused and tosses him into a dog dish. Undaunted, Bear continues to pursue the girl to no avail. However, the dog in the house is thrilled to play with Bear. Bear insists that he is not a dog toy; he is a kid’s toy, so he keeps pursuing the girl’s attention, still to no avail. Ultimately, Bear realizes that the Dog’s love and loyalty are worth honoring and accepts a joyous role as a dog toy.

“I wanted to write a story about someone who thought they should be friends with someone, but then realized that that person didn’t want to be friends with them,” Berlin told his eager fans. “But there was someone who liked them for who they were and did want to be friends with them. And I call that chasing the wrong friend.” Berlin’s powerful message for this young audience is that a friend is not a friend unless your feeling is reciprocated.

Berlin’s visit brought storytelling to life for students by blending humor, relatable lessons, and hands-on creativity. The students enthusiastically brainstormed a story recipe of their own, leading to a hilarious tale about a sea lion pup with a craving for chicken and a scuba-diving pig suggesting vegetarian alternatives. Select students acted out the story on stage, delighting their peers and impressing Berlin with their originality and performance skills.

Lower School Librarian Betty Castello expressed that Berlin was the perfect choice for the event because his Emmy-nominated work as a comedy writer for children resonates with students in an age-appropriate and engaging way. 

“I feel the best picture books for kids are the ones that entertain and get them on board to discover more books,” Castello shared. “Author visits are important for so many reasons. They confirm everything the kids learn about authors and illustrators in Library class. It’s an opportunity to meet someone new with a different perspective. And of course, every visiting author speaks about the writing process, which students of all ages benefit from.”

Author visits are a hallmark of Oak Knoll’s commitment to inspiring readers and writers at every grade level. These visits, which can be in-person or virtual, allow students to connect directly with authors who broaden their horizons and deepen their appreciation for literature. 

Recently, Newbery Award-winning author Amina Luqman-Dawson conducted a virtual discussion with students focused on her powerful book Freewater, enhancing their studies of the Civil War. Following Berlin’s visit, grades 4 and 5 participated in a session with award-winning author-illustrator Peter Brown, whose Wild Robot series has captivated countless young readers. Brown shared his creative process, demonstrated illustration techniques, and even led students in drawing exercises.