Schools

Author Inspires Polka Dot Frenzy at School

The author of "Don't Wear Polka Dot Underwear with White Pants (and Other Lessons I've Learned)" read excerpts of her book to Cornwells Elementary School students and faculty - including her mom, a second-grade teacher at the school.

Polka dots in all colors and sizes adorned the clothing of Cornwells Elementary School students, teachers - and even hallways on Thursday. 

Newly published author Allison Gutknecht was the reason for the dottiness. Gutnecht, the daughter of second-grade teacher and Bensalem native Maryanne Gutknecht, spent the day at the school, reading excerpts from her book, "Don’t Wear Polka Dot Underwear with White Pants (and Other Lessons I've Learned)" as part of Author Day. 

"The entire book actually evolved out of the title," Allison Gutknecht told Patch prior to her daylong reading and speaking sessions at the school. "It’s a lesson I learned the hard way when I was a senior in high school, not 8 years old, 18 years old."

As a drum major for her high school in Voorhees, N.J., Gutknecht, wearing a crisp white uniform, apparently wore the dreaded dotted underwear. Except she doesn't remember doing it. 

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It wasn't until a few years ago when a friend's mother brought it up that Gutknecht, who lives in New York City and works at Sesame Street in her day job, got the inspiration for her first published book. 

Following the underwear mention in 2011, Gutknecht said she walked to her car and emailed herself a note with what would become the title of her chapter book, which features a similar embarrassing moment with the story's 8-year-old character, Mandy. 

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During an interview with Patch, Gutknecht shared that writing for children is "very universal."

"Especially a certain period of childhood," she said. "With children who are still in elementary school there is something kind of preserved about that time period."

During a discussion with the school's second-graders–and her proud mother–the author shared who her idols are, including Ann M. Martin, who wrote "The Baby-Sitters Club" series. 

"I was obsessed with 'The Baby-Sitters Club' series," Gutknecht told the students, adding that it was her passion for writing and Sesame Street that landed her where she is today. "Passion is one of the best ways to figure out what you want to be when you grow up."

Her mother shared that Allison has always been passionate about writing, even as a toddler. 

"She'd be making up little couplets all the time," Mrs. Gutknecht shared of her daughter's bath-time sessions as a 3-year-old. "She always liked writing and words and rhyming poems."

For Mrs. Gutknecht, a Cornwells teacher of 19 years, having her only child stand before her class in the town where she was raised and loves, was a "dream come true."

"It's like two things that I love more than anything," she said, adding that it was remarkable to see so much excitement throughout the school. 

"There's polka dots all over the place," Mrs. Gutknecht said. "Everybody's joined in the celebration."

To learn more

Allison Gutknecht's book, "Don’t Wear Polka Dot Underwear with White Pants (and Other Lessons I've Learned)" is geared for kids ages 7 to 10. The book is available at Amazon, or in stores. Click here for more information on children's author Allison Gutknecht. 


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