First- and second-graders lined up to give author Michael Sims a high-five after his visit to Sprunica Elementary School on March 31.

“OK, I am now doing this at all of my talks for the rest of my life,” he said with a laugh.

Sims talked with students about the magic of story writing.

He’s the author of “The Story of Charlotte’s Web: E.B. White’s Eccentric Life in Nature and the Birth of an American Classic.”

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]

White wrote the classic “Charlotte’s Web.”

“The Story of Charlotte’s Web” and “Charlotte’s Web” were the selections for this year’s Brown County Reads program, which encourages the community to read and discuss a book together.

Sims also spoke about his book and “Charlotte’s Web” with adults at the Brown County Public Library that evening, but his first stop was at Sprunica.

First- and second-graders sat cross-legged in gym as Sims took a seat in a black rolling chair and began explaining the background of his story behind the story.

Sims visited White’s family farm. He was able to walk through the barn that inspired “Charlotte’s Web.”

“It was like magic,” he told the students.

He asked them what places, in the stories they’d read, they would like to visit.

Hands flew up: Places from “Stuart Little,” “Star Wars” and “James and the Giant Peach” were favorites.

Sims asked students if they’ve written stories, and a smile spread across his face when every hand went up.

They write every day, the teachers in the room added.

Students were also able to ask Sims questions like “When did you write your book?” and “What books do you write?

He also met with third- and fourth-graders later in the afternoon.

“Some kids are just shyer or less book-oriented. I have to give credit to the teachers and the parents. They create the environment. I think the teachers have really awakened a sense of wonder about writing,” Sims said.