Kimberly Honored by Earl Scruggs Center

Thank you for visiting our blog!  We invite you to visit the Earl Scruggs Center's website to see hear Kimberly speak on the Center's podcast. 

Kimberly has had the honor of being featured on the Earl Scruggs Center, Music & Stories from the American South website! 


The Shelby native who has written 11 children’s books, Kimberly Pearson Johnson was a product of the Head Start program where she learned that reading is a key to life. 

She graduated from Shelby High School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

She has dedicated herself to helping children learn to read and to have the power to enrich their lives.

She was invited to read at the 2002 White House Easter Egg Roll by President and Mrs. George W. Bush, and has been featured in Southern Living magazine. She leads interactive programs in schools throughout the United States. 

Empty Cup: A Poem by Kimberly Johnson

Children like an empty cup, look to us to fill them up

With purpose and with praise 

And if we do our job just right, it lasts throughout their days

With lessons about life and learning from a book

Planning what is best for them and knowing where to look 

Taking time to stir with patience and with grace.

Showing that you’re interested by looking in their face

And saying no is okay too, it’s just a part of growing

Sometimes things don’t go our way – a lesson much worth knowing 

But if you teach them hope by reaching for their dreams

They gain the faith to not give up, despite how tough it seems

So listen with your heart and encourage with a smile

A perfect blend of all of this can last them for a while

At least until they’re confident and you find them all grown up

And just to think, your work began with first an empty cup.

Listen to Kimberly's podcast HERE!