In this episode of The People Teaching People Podcast, I am joined by Miss Anne Goresht, former host of the children’s television show Romper Room and author of “I Am a Big Brother with a Superpower”.

Miss Anne shares her journey from hosting Romper Room, a pioneering educational children’s show, to becoming an author and a passionate advocate for children’s reading and learning. She details her surprising path to becoming the host of Romper Room, emphasizes the importance of storytelling and education in her life, and discusses her new book aimed at helping children adjust to new siblings. Miss Anne also talks about the process of writing her book and collaborating with illustrator Karen Argue, as well as her plans to write a memoir and another children’s book focused on empathy.

Before becoming an author, Miss Anne was the beloved host of the children’s television show, Romper Room, which aired from 1953 to 1994. The popular show was best known for its interactive format, with Miss Anne leading children through various educational activities and games. Romper Room was ground-breaking in its approach to children’s media, emphasizing education and socialization in a fun, engaging way.

Like an all-time favourite school teacher forever ingrained in a child’s memory, Miss Anne has had an enormous impact on many children. She paved the way for several popular TV shows—Sesame Street, Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood, and The Friendly Giant. Combining her unique experiences and gift for teaching children, Miss Anne entertains and captures her young audience with compassion and humour with her book I am a Big Brother with a Superpower. Once again, children’s imaginations are stimulated through relatable characters and colourful illustrations. After all, she has forever believed that children’s books should be entertaining and educational, providing young readers with valuable life lessons.

In addition to writing books, Miss Anne regularly visited the YMCA to share her love of reading and storytelling with children. She believes that every child has the potential to become a lifelong reader and hopes to inspire a new generation of book lovers. 

Listen in as we talk about:

03:00 Becoming the host of Romper Room

08:35 A most memorable moment on Romper Room

10:43 Becoming an author – at 91 years young!

12:30 Collaborating with Illustrator Karen Argue

14:46 The journey of writing a book

18:36 Choosing joy and fun

19:58 The magic of storytelling

25:01 Advice for aspiring authors and educators

31:14 Miss Anne’s words of wisdom

Learn more about Miss Anne:

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• Website: https://miss-anne.getresponsesite.com/
  
• YouTube: About the Book: I Am A Big Brother With A Superpower 
  
• Book:  I Am A Big Brother With A Superpower
  

Connect with Tiana:

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• Website: https://tianafech.com
  
• LinkedIn: Tiana Fech
  
• Instagram: @tianafech 
  
• Facebook: @tianafech 
  
• Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course 
  

During a playdate with a friend and her children, Miss Anne heard on the radio that Romper Room was looking for a new host. Initially skeptical, but encouraged by her friend and husband, she decided to pursue the opportunity. After getting her hair done in a beehive hairstyle, she attended the interview and audition. Ultimately, she was offered the job, marking the start of a magical journey. Embracing unexpected opportunities can lead to exciting new chapters in life!

Miss Anne fondly recalls a memorable Easter episode of Romper Room when she took the initiative to bring in two rabbits from the zoo, thinking her director might forget. As she introduced the bunnies while singing a cheerful song, one rabbit quickly hopped on top of the other, leading to an unexpected but hilarious moment on camera. Viewers were delighted, and the switchboard lit up with calls from fathers eager to get a bunny from the show. Instead of flustering, Miss Anne gracefully turned the incident into a teachable moment, emphasizing how friendly the rabbits were being. Embracing spontaneity can turn unexpected challenges into delightful experiences.

Miss Anne shares the inspiration behind her new book, “I Am a Big Brother with a Superpower.” Drawing from her own experiences as a parent, she recognized the shock and confusion older siblings often feel when a new baby arrives. She wanted to create a story that would help both the older and younger children navigate this significant life change. Miss Anne emphasizes that understanding these emotions is crucial for kids, as welcoming a new sibling can be a big adjustment. The book, complemented by beautiful illustrations, aims to ease that transition for families. A thoughtful story can make a world of difference in helping children embrace new family dynamics.

Miss Anne shares her delightful experience collaborating with illustrator Karen Argue for her book, “I Am a Big Brother with a Superpower.” Impressed by Karen’s vibrant use of color and the fact that she lives nearby in Okotoks, Miss Anne felt an instant connection when they met. Despite being legally blind, Karen’s ability to create stunning illustrations made a significant impact on the project. Miss Anne highlights how smoothly they worked together, noting that Karen embraced every suggestion with grace and skill, contributing equally to the book’s success. Their collaboration turned out to be a true partnership, blending words and art seamlessly. A great collaboration can elevate a project, showing that teamwork and understanding can lead to beautiful results.

Miss Anne candidly shares the challenges of crafting a children’s book, where every word matters. With the help of Noreen Music, of Organize My Space Calgary, who guided her in organizing her thoughts and sequencing the pages, Miss Anne found excitement in the creative process. After reading the draft to her granddaughter and her kids, she received valuable feedback that prompted her to lighten the tone, acknowledging the complex emotions involved in welcoming a new sibling. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity in storytelling, hoping her book will help children navigate their feelings while embracing their new roles. Honest feedback and a willingness to adapt can transform a story and make it resonate more deeply with its audience.

“Life is really so precious, and we’re always in a position of choosing. Choice in life is there all the time, and I choose to have fun with it!” 

Miss Anne shares her inspiring outlook on life, highlighting the power of choice and the pursuit of fun. She believes that each day brings opportunities to decide how we engage with the world around us. Recently, she tried to make Halloween plans with a 93-year-old friend, suggesting they go out without costumes, just bringing pillowcases for treats. Although her friend decided against the idea this year, Miss Anne’s adventurous spirit remains undeterred as she looks forward to future opportunities to connect and enjoy life. Her attitude underscores the belief that it’s never too late to seek joy and share experiences. Life is filled with choices, and choosing joy can lead to meaningful moments, no matter your age. 

Miss Anne reflects on how her perspective on reading and learning has transformed over the years, especially as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She emphasizes that, despite the changing world, the enchanting qualities of children – filled with curiosity and honesty – remain timeless. As a dedicated volunteer “story lady,” she delights in sharing stories with children, cherishing the moment when they realize the adventures they’ve imagined can be found in books. Her passion for fostering a love of reading is evident in her joyful interactions, like the sparkly dragon tales she shares with her great-granddaughter. For Miss Anne, storytelling is not just about words; it’s about building connections and igniting a lifelong appreciation for literature. Embrace storytelling to nurture joy and connection across generations.

“Try new things because it can open up a new door. If you hesitate and don’t even try, that’s a mistake.”

Writing and publishing your first book at the age of 91 is nothing short of inspiring. So what advice does Miss Anne have for aspiring authors or educators? Miss Anne encourages aspiring writers and educators to simply take the plunge: “Just do it!” She emphasizes that trying new things can lead to unexpected opportunities, while hesitating can hold you back from pursuing your passions. Looking ahead, Miss Anne shares her excitement about writing her memoir and exploring themes of empathy in a new children’s book. She believes that fostering empathy is crucial for young readers, reminding us all of the importance of understanding others’ feelings. Don’t hesitate—embrace your creativity and take that first step toward your dreams!

What is something that you would love to learn about or something that you would love to learn how to do?

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• Learn more about computers and technology and being more organized and focused
  

What is a book, podcast, movie or TV show that you have learned from recently?

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• YouTube videos such as ones by author Yuval Harari who has written:
  
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  • NEXUS: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI
    
  • Unstoppable Us (A children’s book series about the history of people)
    
  
  
  

If you could sit down and have a conversation with someone that you would love to learn from, who would it be? And why

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• Everybody because there is always a story there
  

​​Miss Anne shares a timeless piece of wisdom rooted in Buddhist teachings: “Enjoy what there is to enjoy. Don’t suffer what there is to suffer, because you have that choice every second.” This profound message, inspired by Nichiren Daishonin, underscores the power of perspective in navigating life’s ups and downs. By choosing joy and accepting challenges without unnecessary suffering, we can transform our teaching, learning, and daily experiences into more fulfilling ones. Remember, even on tough days, gratitude for what we do have can be our greatest strength. Life is full of choices – embrace joy and face hardships with grace.

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Today’s episode is produced by VOLT Productions, a full-service podcast production agency helping creators and entrepreneurs launch, grow and monetize their shows. You can learn more about the agency’s founder Simona, their work and their team by going to www.voltproductions.co.