CARRABASSETT VALLEY — Stratton Elementary and Kingfield elementary schools enjoyed a personal visit from award-winning Maine Children’s Book Author, Amy MacDonald of Falmouth recently.

MacDonald has taught writing at Harvard University and developed teacher training workshops on writing for the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Her work has appeared in many national and international publications.

MacDonald’s spirited presentations invited students to participate in discussing the usage of “loaded words,” both positive and negative, and how they affect the reader’s interpretation of the writer’s prose. Students “strutted” and “strolled” about the classroom, and discussed reckless behavior in ways of the courageous or foolhardy.

Before signing books, MacDonald read “Little Beaver and the Echo,” which has been published in 27 languages worldwide, to K-4th graders at Stratton Elementary School.

Wednesday evening, she was the special guest at the Girls Talk presentation at the Stratton Community Building where she shared a slideshow and described the process of writing her first book, “Little Beaver and the Echo,” choosing an illustrator and the printing and publishing process.

Other books include “Rachel Fister’s Blister,” “Cousin Ruth’s Tooth,” “Please Malese” and “Quentin Fenton Herter III,” as well as chapter books, “No More Nasty/No More Nice” and “Too Much Flapdoodle.”

The Carrabassett Valley Public Library was proud and honored to host the events made possible by The Maggie Trafton Memorial Fund. The fund was established by Barbara and Dick Trafton in 1995 in honor of their daughter Maggie, a student from Carrabassett Valley who attended Kingfield Elementary School.

The children and teachers enjoyed this wonderful experience. By inviting special guests or purchasing new books to enhance our students’ skills and excitement in reading and writing, the library can fulfill the mission of Maggie’s Fund to bring more opportunities like this to children in the schools and libraries of the greater Carrabassett Valley community.