Fargo Author Visits ACC Students

North Dakota author Roxane Salonen reads her book
“P is for Peace Garden” to Pascal, a student at the
Anne Carlsen Center. Salonen visited Pascal
and his classmates from the Center

Anne Carlsen Center (ACC) students learned about the fun of literacy when author Roxane Salonen visited two of their relocation sites this week.

Salonen, the Fargo author who wrote “P is for Peace Garden” read to ACC students from the Center staying temporarily at Jamestown Hospital and Zebedee Center. On March 23, 56 students were evacuated from the ACC Jamestown campus because of the threat of overland flooding. They have not yet been able to return to the campus because of flood conditions throughout Jamestown. ACC staff members are at each relocation site, providing continuity of care.

Visiting Center students for the first time, Salonen enjoyed reading to the children and young adults and speaking with them about her career as a writer. She says she has been looking forward to visiting the Center for years, after reading about the Center’s namesake, Dr. Anne Carlsen.

“The story of Anne Carlsen is so inspiring,” explains Salonen. “It is a thrill to help more people learn about her.”

The popular children’s author had initially been invited by Stutsman County’s Prairie Reading Council (PRC) to read to area students at the end of March. Spring flooding smashed those plans, putting many communities throughout North Dakota under duress.

“We were very fortunate to be able to reschedule,” said Marlena Maddock, an ACC teacher and PRC member. “We wanted to celebrate our state, the end of the school year, as well as books. Literacy is so important, and students are so interested in meeting authors and learning about them.”

Arianna smiles as she sees illustrations in Roxane Salonen’s book “P is for Peace Garden.”

“P is for Peace Garden” is part of the Discover America State by State Alphabet series and was published in 2005. The books guide readers throughout the 50 states with fun, historical facts and state statistics.

Salonen, a mother of five, says she loves the chance to meet her readers and to go through books with them.

“It is a privilege,” says Salonen. “I enjoy expanding my horizons and doing so in North Dakota. There is nothing like coming and meeting the people you write for.”

More information about Salonen, her writing career and her books can be found at www.roxanesalonen.com. More information about the Anne Carlsen Center–and its current evacuation and flood fight–can be found at www.annecenter.org.

The Anne Carlsen Center offers a rich tradition of empowering individuals with disabilities and their families. Our experienced staff provides compassion, training, services and supports in homes and communities across North Dakota. On our Jamestown Campus, we meet the educational, residential and therapeutic needs of children and young adults with autism, behavior disorders, medical fragility, and other developmental disabilities.