Author Pam Alexander recently visited Smiley Elementary School and talked to students about the importance of reading and understanding history.
Alexander, a former teacher, has written several books but is known best for her series on a well-known area vegetable, the Vidalia onion.
Her history series on “Yumion the Vidalia Sweet Onion” tells of the travels of this cute little character and his mischievous adventures. Books in the series include “Yumnion’s Mountain Holiday,” “The Onion Ambassador,” “Sails, Pails, and Alligator Tails” and “Yumnion Goes to the City.” 
Alexander also writes about a second popular character, “Jeremiah the Time Traveling Frog.”
During Alexander’s visit, she read to the students as her “friend” Jeremiah perched on her arm. The author talked about how Jeremiah “hops” through Georgia history. She also discussed historical figures like James Oglethorpe, who founded Savannah. Alexander also touched on the state’s geography, focusing on places like the Okeefenokee Swamp, where she said her friend Jeremiah was born.
Alexander said she tries to make her presentations fun so children enjoy themselves while they learn.
Smiley Elementary media specialist Susan Fuentes said, “Mrs. Alexander provided a very enriching experience for the students of Smiley. She was able to help the students connect with history, the regions and other information about Georgia through the characters from her books.
“It was like an in-house field trip providing students with a valuable learning experience,” Fuentes said. “We are grateful for her time and kid friendly presentation.”