On Fri., Sept., 14, two graduates of North Cross School discussed their new book, My Dream in a Forest Green, with current North Cross School students.  The website www.mydreaminaforestgreen.com describes the book as, “a poem, or rather, a series of poems: twenty-seven limericks bouncing with rhyme and rhythm, telling the amazing dream of a young boy whose caring soul brightens the lives of every animal he meets on his journey. Upon hearing her son eagerly recount his dream, his loving mother is overjoyed and overwhelmed by her child’s humility and grace.”

The book was written by Gordon Winn, who is a 1989 graduate of North Cross School.  As well as being an author, Winn is an educator.  He received his bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Richmond and a master’s degree in Spanish Language from Middlebury College.  Winn taught Spanish at the secondary school level for eleven years, five of which were at North Cross School.  He has also published a Spanish textbook, Conversaciones Contempanroneas en Castellano, which he wrote while living in Spain where he studied syntax of simple and complex sentences within the Spanish language.

Alex Hoyt, the Illustrator of My Dream in a Forest Green, also attended North Cross School.  Winn became aware of Holt’s illustrating abilities as a result of a classroom assignment that Hoyt completed while he was a student in Winn’s Spanish class.  That assignment inspired Winn to collaborate with Hoyt on the artwork in the book.  Holt is a former editorial fellow at The Atlantic magazine, and a freelance contibutor to their website, writing for the online series, “First Drafts.” In addition, Hoyt has created several illustrations, using his iPad, which have been used in stories on TheAtlantic.com.

Both Hoyt and Winn addressed all three divisions reading their book and discussing its positive message regarding character.   Winn and Hoyt also discussed the writing and publishing process with Hoyt demonstrating the development of the illustrations using an iPad.

For more information or to order the book, please go to www.mydreaminaforestgreen.com.

North Cross School is a college-preparatory, day school grounded in a strong liberal arts and science curriculum combined with exceptional co-curricular programs. The academic program, from early childhood through twelfth grade, prepares students to become responsible, successful citizen by encouraging the, to explore their interests and develop their talents. The school is located at 4254 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA, 2018.

Submitted by Tammy Shank