Today I found myself at Cheatham Elementary in Allen, TX–home of the Chargers. CHARGE! I was welcomed by a banner signed by every student in the school. I wish I could say that everyone saw my show but second grade had a field trip today (sorry I missed you guys). I felt even more at home when I saw that most of the students wore his and her favorite hat to my show. I just had to get a shot with me and all of them (I’m the one in the hat, by the way).
Thanks to Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Barnes for helping me set up. Thanks to the Cheatham PTA and Mrs. Beaehner for inviting me, for the fun lunch, and for snagging a bunch of my favorite books for the school library. And a big thanks to all the Cheatham Chargers. Keep charging to the library for some exciting books—and not just mine!
Oh, and thanks for writing, Max!
I returned to Plano, TX and Renner Middle School for a full day of writing workshops. Throughout my travels, I’ve found that middle grade kids aren’t first to raise their hands for questions, but these kids had plenty of questions about reading, writing, and everything in between—from who’s my favorite superhero (Batman, of course) to what’s my favorite sport (like Garfield asks, is eating a sport?).
Thanks to Mrs. Nowlin for inviting me back and for the use of her library. And thanks to all the students a Renner Middle School. I enjoyed your creative questions but I must say that I enjoyed your Papier-mâché art a little bit more (the LEGO man and the ring pop are my favorites).
Today I zipped over to Shreveport, LA to have a fun author visit at St. Mark’s Cathedral School! I gave two shows to the K5-5th grade and a writing workshop for all the middle grade kids. Mrs. Beason just finished with a Scholastic book fair so I had a few of my Scholastic books to sign. Yay for LEGO City!
Thanks to Mr. Stubbs for helping me set up and to Mrs. Beason for inviting me (and for that spicy cajun lunch). And a big thanks to all the students at St. Mark’s! Keep reading, writing and remember the four words: “I Can Do That!”
I’ve been horseback riding through the Yukon territory in Canada but that casual pace was nothing compared to my whirlwind tour of Yukon, Oklahoma, thanks to the Yukon Reading Council! I appeared at seven schools in just THREE DAYS! Below are some fun pics from all of my shows!
Thanks to Mrs. Moore for inviting me and thanks to her and all the participating librarians for working with my scheduling conflicts, hosting me, and helping set everything up: Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Eskew, Mrs. Pennington, Mrs. Urton, Mrs. Schick, and Mrs. Wilmes. Thanks to all the other staff whom I met and helped prepare for my visit. Thanks to Zac for the cool story (keep writing, Zac!). And a big thanks to all the great kids in Yukon, OK! Remember what I said: the easiest way to becoming a better writer is to keep writing but also to … READ!
Central Elementary
Parkland Elementary
Ranchwood Elementary
Surrey Hills Elementary
Myers Elementary
Skyview Elementary
Shedeck Elementary
Sunset Ridge Elementary
After a postponement due to snow, I finally enjoyed my fifth trip to Kansas to visit a couple of great schools in Overland Park! My first stop was at Sunset Ridge Elementary. The students must’ve heard about my hat collecting since they helped put together a hat-tastic welcome banner. Even Mrs. Wagner the librarian sported her black fedora in my honor.
I gave two presentations to a very enthusiastic Kinder, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. But my day didn’t end there. After lunch I gave two writing workshops to half of the 4th and 5th graders. Just half, you say? That’s because I had to come back the next morning to give workshops to the other half. I enjoy what I do, but I need to rest a bit after an exciting day like that!
Thanks to Mrs. Helvey for inviting me and to Mrs. Wagner for helping me set up and for letting me use her library. And a big thanks to all the great readers and future writers at Sunset Ridge Elementary!
Blue River Elementary
After a morning of writing workshops at Sunset Ridge, I zipped over to Blue River Elementary for a tasty school lunch. It was during lunch that one of the students let slip that everyone had prepared a special surprise for me. It seems that they, too had learned about my hat addiction and all of the students fashioned their own hats in my honor. Each of them was labeled with my nickname, “Ant.” It looks like I have minions!
I was kept busy before and after my two presentations because I had to sign bunches of books–many of the students had ordered copies of LEGO City, Word Girl, and Penguins of Madagascar books!
Thanks to Mrs. Ward for having me out and for all the help setting up. And a final hat’s off to the students of Blue River Elementary! I hope you enjoy your books. And if you didn’t get a copy, I happen to know that Mrs. Ward had me sign some for the school library, too. Check them out before school’s out!
BF Kitchen Elementary
I left Texas in the spring and felt like I traveled back in time to the dead of winter when I arrived in Loveland, Colorado! Even though, I arrived in the middle of a snow storm, I had a warm welcome from the students and faculty at BF Kitchen Elementary. There was a lovely banner for me in the library and Mrs. Askham had tons of cool bookmarks for me to sign. During both shows, I received many insightful questions and discovered that there were many young writers in the school–keep writing, Eli!
Thanks to Mrs. Askham for the use of the library and to Mr. Blick for helping set up for my show. A big thanks to Mrs. Endres for inviting me and a super-big thanks to all the great students at BFK!
Ponderosa Elementary
After lunch with Mrs. Endres, I zipped over to Ponderosa Elementary–home of the Pandas! I gave two shows to a packed gym then got a chance to answer even more questions from Mrs. Midgett’s class. Not only did they have some great questions about writing but also about special effects, too!
Thanks to Mr. King for helping me set up and for all his support through some technical difficulties. Thanks to Mrs. Midgett for inviting me and for letting me spend some extra time with her class–I hope you enjoy the King Julien book. Don’t let Mrs. Midgett keep it all to herself!
Family Literacy Night
My day didn’t end there, after a quick trip to the hotel to freshen up, I zipped over to Namaqua Elementary for the district’s Family Literacy Night. There I put on my show for parents and students alike. I made sure the kids moved down to the front row because the show is really for them (even though I think the parents were eavesdropping).
After my show, I signed some books and gave a brief workshop to some students who seemed eager to learn about writing. I’m glad you got a chance to look at my TV and movie scripts up close and I hope you keep reading AND writing!
Thanks to all the Literacy board (Jessica, Pam, Barb, Barb, and Connie) for inviting me and for a lovely dinner the night before. Thanks to Mr. Beuke for the use of his school and a big thanks to all the kids and parents who braved a snowy night to see my show.
Stansberry Elementary http://www.stansberryelementary.org
My final day in this winter wonderland found me at Stansberry Elementary. I was a little late because I forgot to allow time to de-ice my car (did I mentioned that I came from 85º weather?). When I did arrive, I was delighted to see that everyone had dressed up for my appearance. But then I found out that it was school picture day instead. Still, I had a fun time giving two presentations. I went without the mic for the first show. But after my voice squeaked on the higher notes, I opted for a little help front the PA system during the second show. All those presentations and cold weather really add up.
Thanks to Mrs. McGee for having me out and to Mr. Blee for helping me set up (don’t worry; no one touched the screen). And a super-dee-duper thanks (as Barney would say) to all the smartly-dressed students of Stansberry Elementary!
And another big thanks to the Literacy board for inviting me to Colorado! Unfortunately, my drive out looked a lot like my drive in. I hear that you have some beautiful mountains around here someplace. I can’t wait to come back so I can catch a glimpse of them!
When I arrived at Nebbie Williams Elementary in Rockwall, TX, I was pleasantly surprised to see a big welcome banner signed by every student in the school. What a great way to begin the day!
Then, after two of my presentations, I got to eat lunch with the library book club. We had a great time, discussed books, and even talked about some of the students’ own writings. I finished off the school day with a presentation to the energetic 4th and 5th graders. Thanks to Mrs. Dyer, you can see more pictures from the day and even chime in on the library’s cool FACEBOOK PAGE!
That evening, I was pleased to participate in the PTA’s career night. I was one of many speakers that night and I think everyone learned that there are tons of cool jobs out there—more than you think. In fact, I’m still finding out about different jobs and careers. Keep looking, and you’ll discover the right one for you!
Thanks to Mrs. Jamshidi and Mrs. Elliot for helping me get all set up. Thanks to Mrs. Delgleiz for the delicious lunch. Thanks to Mrs. Dyer and the Nebbie Williams PTA for inviting me, being wonderful hosts, and for the gifts. And a big thanks to a the great kids at Nebbie Elementary. Keep reading and keep coming up with those exciting stories!
Today was exciting, jam-packed day at Beachside Montessori Village in Hollywood, Florida! When I first arrived, I was fortunate enough to have breakfast with all the great teachers. Then I met Mrs. Griffith’s TV crew and was featured in a short segment on the school’s morning TV show.
I got to do a couple of presentations and everyone was extremely energetic. I even held some writing workshops with several grade levels–the winners of a contest where the students had to write letters explaining why they wanted to meet me and what they wanted to learn about writing. I got to eat lunch with different students who wrote similar letters. What a great way to really get to know the future writers of BMV!
Thanks to Mrs. Gray and Mrs. Rodriguez for all the help throughout the day. Thanks to Mrs. Wyda for inviting me. Thanks to Mrs. Gray’s class for all the wonderful thank you letters. And a super big thanks to all the students at BMV! You made my latest Florida trip one to remember!
Today I enjoyed visiting two fun schools right on the military base of Fort Hood, TX! In the morning, I visited Oveta Culp Hobby Elementary – home of the Patriots. And you know what? The Patriots were my elementary school’s mascot in Brownsville, TX — the Russel Patriots!
After Mrs. Coffield picked me up at the base’s visitor center, I set up and performed two shows in her huge library; the kids were packed all the way to the back. Now, during every show, I asked the students how many of them enjoy writing their own stories. I know that not everyone wants to be a writer when they grow up but I was pleasantly surprised just how many kids raised their hands at this school. I think it was the most I’ve seen so far. I hope all the teachers there like to read because there are going to be tons of young writers coming out of Oveta Culp Hobby Elementary!
Thanks to Mrs. Colffield for inviting me and thanks to Mrs. Buller for all her help. And a big thanks to the Oveta Culp Hobby Patriots! Keep reading and keep writing those stories!
After my morning shows and lunch, Mrs. Coffield drove me over to Duncan Elementary (also on base) and home of the Duncan Dragons! They were very excited to see me and I haven’t enjoyed such an energetic group of students in a long time—both shows!
All the students were set up in chairs in the cafeteria, with a big center aisle for me to run down and generally be silly. The kids had so many great questions that I wish I could’ve answered them all. But like I said, if I didn’t get to you, have your parents help you email me any question you like!
Thanks to Mrs. Barr for the warm welcome (and for the ride back to the gate), thanks to Mr. Cooper for helping with all the technical support, setting up for my show, and a big thanks to all the boisterous Duncan Dragon. You really know how to make that dragon roar!