Children’s author Michael Sampson appeared at Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy, Douglaston, during Catholic Schools Week to share his books and to inspire students to write and read.

Sampson is the author of 30 books for children, including his best sellers “Chicka, Chicka, 1, 2, 3” and “Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?”

Sampson shared how he became a writer in an interactive, motivational format. Student Alexandra Jedrzejowski, said her favorite book was “‘Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3’ because all of the numbers joined together!”

He read his best-selling books to the students and told them that all children are writers and that every student should be “everything they can be.”

Third-grader Andrey Torres said he read “The Mirror in Time,” all 66 chapters and 236 pages in one day.

After reading the book he said, “maybe it is possible to time travel.” The story, according to Andrey had every single emotion in it. While it started out sad, it was both happy and exciting.

Teacher First

Before becoming a children’s book author, Sampson taught kindergarten through sixth grades and received much press coverage for his innovative ideas on teaching. After earning a Ph.D. in literacy from the University of Arizona, he moved into higher education as a professor.

In August 2014, he joined the faculty at St. John’s University, Jamaica, where he serves as dean of the School of Education and is leading efforts for the university to partner and create deeper connections with area schools.