It is All About Your Audience

Written by Mary Stephenson 3-4-2017

Old marketing terms ringing heavily in my brain: Know Your Audience.

This was a lesson I should have taken in to account on Thursday.

Gary and I had gone over to Sycamore School after last Thursday’s meeting by the request of Principal Susanna Winstead.

Just a simple little task of reading a Dr. Seuss book to kids.

I have always loved Green Eggs and Ham. Read it to my daughter when she was probably 4 years old. Haven’t read in probably 20 years to my granddaughter. 

When I seen the book on the cart of books I immediately grabbed and held it tight. Gary took the book that one of the teacher’s wanted read to her students. (He was informed later that it wasn’t actually a Dr. Seuss book.)

Given the list of rooms we were to read in, off we went. The first was a kindergarten class. Perfect, it went over well.

Off to the next class on our list. There was no one in the room.

We moved on to the next class. The teacher was reading a book to the class with all the drama of a seasoned actor. Oh how we wanted to slink away. How could we ever follow him?

Somehow Green Eggs and Ham seemed so lame. Can I retreat and head back to the book cart?

These were third graders…they didn’t tell us!

Even Gary’s book seemed very dull to that age group.

We put on a brave face and tried to make the best of it.

Was delighted that each teacher made sure the kids were respectful of us and to thank us for taking the time to come for them.

Our credibility was reinforced when the teachers mentioned we were from the Lions and that we helped build the PALZ room.

With many thank-you’s we were on our way home in an hour.

If we do it next year and anyone that might join the Dr. Seuss reading day, know your audience.

Next time I will ask the age groups we are reading to and pick more than one book wisely. Maybe even take the time to do a read through to add a little theatricals to my performance!