Today I enjoyed performing two shows at the Ennis Public Library in Ennis, Texas! My first show was at 2:00 and my second was later that evening at 6:00. Both crowds were packed – one of my biggest library turnouts yet! I can’t take the credit, though. The Ennis Public Library has an amazing summer reading program chocked full of entertaining and educational guests, fun activities, and even field trips. Don’t believe me? Check out the pics HERE!
Thanks to everyone at the Ennis Public Library for being such gracious hosts. Thanks to Jessica for inviting me and to Christie and Ray for helping me set up. Most of all, thanks to all the kids who turned out for my show. Many of you had some excellent questions so I know that you’re feeding your brains with some wonderful library books. Keep it up!
I was fortunate enough to be a part of this year’s Dallas Kids Read! where I performed at the Dallas Public Library on Sunday and on Monday, for the summer school students at Marcus Elementary.
It was great seeing Toni Simmons again on Sunday (whom I met at the 2010 Dallas Kids Read) and I shared Marcus Elementary with author Alejandrina Drew. I caught part of their presentations could see why the kids were so energized by the time I took the stage.
Thanks to Jo Giudice, Ronnie Jessie, the Dallas Public Library and Big Thought for letting me be a part of this year’s events. Thanks to Target for donating all the books for the kids. Thanks to Nora Nagel, Jasmine Africawala, and Victor Kralisz for all the help during the event. And a super-big thanks to all the kids who saw our shows. I hope you keep cool this summer and keep reading!
During this summer break, I thought I’d take the time to address a question I constantly receive during my school and library visits…
Okay, for those of you who’ve seen my show, you know that I include two clips of me on TV: one showing my Chihuahuas and me on an episode of Barney & Friends while the other has me playing a very small part on one of the episodes of Wishbone that I co-wrote.
Many kids ask where they can watch and/or buy these episodes. Well, to answer those questions … I just discovered that my “big” Barney scene is included on the DVD, Barney: Furry Friends.
Now, my Wishbone episode is not yet available for sale. But you can still watch it thanks to whoever posted it to Youtube!
I’ve embedded the entire episode below. The quality isn’t the best but you can check out my very brief scene in Part 3. Don’t blink or you might miss it!
Enjoy!
I spent my last day in Florida visiting the fantastic students of Embassy Creek Elementary in Cooper City, Florida. When I arrived I felt right at home not only because everyone was so welcoming but also because the school was almost identical to the one I had visited the day before. I took the near-identical big stage and put on my first show to some crazy characters in the 5th grade. It turns out that my visit coincided with their “twin day.” You see, during the last week of school, the 5th graders get to dress up differently each day. It’s too bad I didn’t show up on “tourist day” (another one of their themes) or I would’ve blended right in.
After all of my performances, I enjoyed a pizza party with the special winners of the writing contest. Out of more than 80 entries, the winners were: Abigail, Ariel, Arman, Guy, Ian, Jessica, Julia, Kamdyn, Kayla, Maha, Michelle, Mikaela, Robin, Ryan, Shea, Tal, Tegan, Walter, and Yadin. Great job, everyone!
I’d like to thank Mrs. Nollin for all of her hard work setting up my visit and the PTA for having me out. I’d also like to thank Mrs. Leone and Mrs. Elias for all their wonderful help. Thanks to Sasheen for being my guide in the morning and a super-big thanks to all the great kids at Embassy Creek Elementary! Keep writing those wonderful stories!
This week finds me in sunny Florida where I spent the morning at Eagle Ridge Elementary in Coral Springs, Florida! I took to their big stage and gave two presentations to all their 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Everyone seemed to enjoy the show and they had tons of questions about my time in special effects and my friend Bob Trevino (whom I mention in the show). When I got back to the hotel, I called Bob and told him about the warm reception I had received in Florida and he reminded me that he worked on a couple of movies in the area. In fact, we still have some friends working in Coral Springs on the TV show, Burn Notice! I hope some of you Eagle Ridge kids read this since I didn’t get a chance to mention it at the show.
Thanks to Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Rardin for all the help setting up. And thanks to Mrs. Makovsky and the PTA for inviting me (you Eagle Ridge guys should thank them, too.) I even got my picture taken with Mrs. Makovsky’s son, Devin. And, most of all, a big thanks to bright the young students at Eagle Ridge Elementary!
Since I was only there for the morning, I spent the afternoon hiking. I hiked all the way to Markham Park and beyond. I would have gone further but I was halted the Everglades. Okay, not THE Everglades but SOME everglades—The Everglades Wildlife Management Area Conservation Area Number 2B, to be annoyingly precise. I didn’t see any alligators (unfortunately) but I did see a manatee natural habitat—well, just a sign saying there was a habitat right there—and I didn’t see any manatees either. Oh, well… maybe next time!
I just spent the day with the Wildcats at Winnetka Elementary in Dallas, Texas! Well, not all the Wildcats. I was there to give special presentations for all the students who met their reading goals for the school year. First, I talked to the 2nd graders, who each read 60 books, and the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, who each read 30 chapter books. I had a quick pizza party with all the students who read and voted for this year’s Texas Bluebonnet Award, their party had a DJ and everything! Then I finished the day presenting to Pre-K, Kinder, and 1st grade, many of whom reached their goal of 60 books!
Thanks to Mrs. Ruth Roman-Meza for inviting me and setting everything up. Great job! And thanks to Ms. Cox for my personal copy of the schools third writing publication—Color Poetry by 5C, 5D, & 5E. It’s a collection of poems full of similes, metaphors, alliteration, and onomatopoeia. My many hats off to the many authors! And an extra special thanks to all the Winnetka Wildcats. I totally agree with your motto: Readers are Leaders!
I began my last day in Houston with a morning visit to Colony Bend Elementary in Sugar Land, TX—nest of the Eagles! I got to meet many of Colony Bend’s young readers and was even there when special winners of the Texas Readers Club award were announced; they’d read triple the amount required! Great job, guys! Everyone was excited and full of energy, including myself. I was so excited that I broke a guitar string during my second show. Now that’s rock-and-roll!
Thanks to Mrs. Taylor for inviting me and for helping to set up all the schools the entire week! Thanks to Mrs. Wyckoff for helping with the sound for my show and a super-big to all the Colony Bend Eagles. Keep reading, spread your wings, and soar into exciting books!
Last but not least, my final school for this Houston area tour was Highlands Elementary in Sugar Land, TX—where the Scotties roam! My visit with the 3rd and 4th graders coincided with the school’s Field Day—a day of fun outdoor games at the end of the school year. I know everyone had a good time because I met several parents and teachers who were still a bit damp from some of the outdoor water relay games.
Thanks to Mrs. Sanchez for inviting me and a big thanks to Highlands Elementary 3rd and 4th grade Scotties. You guys were the perfect ending to a fantastic week. And I know you Scottie dogs will understand Wishbone‘s famous advice, “chew on a good book!”
Today I spent the morning with the great kids of Hunter’s Glen Elementary in Missouri City, Texas— home of the Owls! Both shows filled their gym and since the first show finished early, I took the time to answer more questions. These kids had some great questions and I wish I could’ve answered all of them. I reminded them to be sure to visit my website and email me any other questions they might come up with. I invited both groups to visit my Facebook author page and ask me there, too. And for those of you who asked about Clown Commandos, you can check out the free comic book app HERE.
Thanks to Mrs. Garg for inviting me and a big thanks to all the Hunter’s Glen Owls. If they keep asking those questions, they’ll be wise owls in no time!
After a quick lunch with Mrs. Garg, it was on to a…
I spent the afternoon revisiting Lakeview Elementary in Sugar Land, Texas — home of the Vikings! Last year, I was fortunate enough to perform for all the students who received the Texas Readers Club Award. I did the same this year but they had to move my appearances to the gym since there were way more winners this year. Great job, guys!
I had a fun afternoon with my repeat visit and truly enjoyed seeing the old school building again (built in the ’40s). I went to an old elementary school so it had all the sights, smells, and fixtures like the ones I remember. I hope the Vikings remember that I was in elementary school when I was first inspired to come up with cool stories. So I hope your school brings you just as much inspiration!
Thanks to Mrs. Austin for inviting me back and a big thanks to the Lakeview Elementary Vikings I saw today for being such big readers. I hope you all took something important away from my talks (especially the four I spoke with after the second show).
