Children’s Author Speaks at Barnes and Noble

On June 29, Barnes and Noble presented children’s author Derek the Ghost, also known as Derek Taylor Kent, as he premiered the third installment of his book series “Scary School: The Northern Frights.” The use of imagination is what got him started in the genre in the first place, he shared. “I can help [children] use their imagination by incorporating my experiences with watching scary movies and comedy, then put them together. Also, I can help my readers to not take what is scary so seriously so they can laugh about it.” Writing his own stories between the ages of seven to 15, Kent found inspiration to follow his desire as a writer in college. As a tribute to his success, Scary School was named “the funniest chapter book of 2011.” With J.K. Rowling being his true inspiration to continue to write and add consistently onto the Scary School book series, he is also creating screenplays and another bilingual book. He has also created a Scary School website, www.scaryschool.com, for children, which consists of games, writing activities and ways to create their own Scary School monsters. As the children gathered around the author’s table, Laurie Alden, Barnes and Noble Community Relations Manager, announced to parents that she appreciated the Summer Camp Saturdays attendance. After Kent’s reading, children lined up for a meet and greet to get their books signed by Derek the Ghost. For more information about San Bernardino County Book Fair and Summer Camp Saturdays at Barnes and Noble, contact your local library.