Henry Winkler Stops By
Longwood Elementary School students had a special guest pay them a visit.
Actor Henry Winkler, best known for his role as Fonzie on Happy Days, stopped by the school to talk about his new children’s book – “Alien Superstar,” which he wrote with co-author Lin Oliver.
“Alien Superstar is a very heavily illustrated novel for kids we’re assuming are between the ages of 8 and 12. So that when kids are reading their eyes can get a little break from just decoding the words and they can sit back and absorb the story,” said Oliver.
Alien Superstar
The book is about thirteen-year-old Buddy Burger, an alien who has to flee his planet and lands in the universal studios back lot.
He ends up getting cast in a popular television show and has to keep his real identity a secret.
Although fictional, there’s a deeper message the co-authors want children to take from the book.
“The idea that all things are possible. The idea that I might have a learning challenge or I might be a stranger in a strange land. I might not even know how to live on this planet and look at the experiences that are open to me because I put one foot in front of the other,” said Winkler.
Hank Zipzer Books
The authors first worked together on their “Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Underachiever” book series.
The series follows the everyday adventures of a bright boy with learning challenges – based on Winkler who has dyslexia.
“The bellman came running out from behind his desk in the hotel and I thought he was going to take the bags. And he said, ‘you don’t know how much you helped me. I read every “Hank” when I was in grade school.’ So, I don’t know if there is a better compliment,” said Winkler.
Inspiring Students
And now they hope to help inspire students to never give up and remind them that they are each unique in their own ways.
Winkler and Oliver spoke to around 200 young readers, and then turned the microphone over to them so they could ask their questions.
At the end, students were able to get their books signed.
Naperville News 17’s Aysha Ashley Househ and Christian Canizal report.
