Jan 26

 
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Today I was all over Brush, Colorado where I began my day at Thomson Primary! There was an early morning sea of tiny faces smiling back at me and it was a grand way to kick-start a cold Colorado day!
 
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My next stop was Beaver Valley Elementary! After a brief award ceremony (nothing to do with me; I was just the headliner), I performed for all the 3rd – 6th graders. They were loaded with energy and a ton of great questions!
 
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My final stop was at the East Morgan County Library where I performed for kids and parents alike. I even met some students from my first two shows, where a couple said some of my lines the same time I did. It was like playing a greatest hits tour!
 
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Thanks to Mrs. Alwin for inviting me and setting everything up. Thanks to Christi Bellis and everyone at the East Morgan County Library for prepping for my evening event. Thanks to Trevor and Mr. Acosta for my tech support for the day. And a big thanks to all the Brush, CO kids! It was great hanging out with you (some even twice) and I hope to make it back to your fun state very soon!
 
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Jan 21

 
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Today I ended my latest Kansas tour at Hodgeman County Elementary in Jetmore, KS! I began the day with a presentation to all the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students that ran right into a writing workshop for all the same kids. It was essentially a two-hour session; a first for me! You couldn’t tell by the kids behavior and enthusiasm, though. Everyone was wonderful and had solid questions all the way to the end!
 
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After a delicious school lunch, courtesy of Mrs. Pitts, I gave another presentation to all the Kinder, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. They were just as great as the older kids and seemed to have way more fun than is normally allowed in school!
 
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Thanks to Mrs. Webb for inviting me and setting everything up. Thanks to the HCE students who were kind enough to shuffle around tables and chairs. Thanks to Julian for the cool fez monkey drawing—another fez monkey for my collection. Thanks to Mrs. Pitts for he delicious lunch (your students have it good!). Thanks to Mr. Chaney for the jar of Kansas honey. And a big thanks to all the HCE students.
 
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Jan 20

 
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What presidential tour would be complete without a stop at Roosevelt Elementary? I finished my McPherson expedition with another presentation for 1st-5th grade Roosevelt Bears. I had lunch and some more signing of the books. And then…all of 2nd grade from the district was bussed in to join me for two writing workshops!
 
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Thanks again to Mrs. Harrison for the whirlwind tour. Thanks to Principal Beam for the early morning tech support. And a big thanks to not only all the Roosevelt Bears but also all of McPherson 2nd graders for providing an enjoyable finish to your town. I hope you enjoyed my writing tips and go on to write something great! And I hope everyone who got a copy of my book enjoys the read. And if you like my book, keep going…read someone else’s, too!
 
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Jan 19

 
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With our Texas winter getting a late start, I finally got a taste when I travelled all the way up to McPherson, KS—waking up to a balmy 26º! I was fortunate enough to visit two schools today, beginning with Washington Elementary—home of the Eagles! I gave a great big group presentation to all the 1st-5th graders in their cool commons area. But before that, I was greeted with an exciting welcome banner (signed by every member of the audience) and a gift of a cool Batman drawing (thanks, GT!). All the Washington Eagles soared with loads of energy, insightful questions, and talented elephant sounds!
 
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After signing a bunch of books, I zipped over to Lincoln Elementary (it’s been a very presidential day) for a little lunch, more book signing, and a big show for all of the 1st-5th grade Lions! They were a great audience and if they keep up the good behavior, some of them might even get a copy of one of the many bonus books I signed.
 
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Thanks to Mrs. Harrison for inviting me and setting everything up. Thanks for more help from Mrs. Bohnenblust and Mrs. Harnish. Thanks to Mr. Walker for figuring out the projector system at Washington (you would think I’d have it down by now but every school is different). And a big thanks to all the Washington Eagles and the Lincoln Lions. Keep soaring and roaring, you guys!
 
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Jan 15

 
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This Friday I had the pleasure of visiting not one but TWO schools in Corpus Christi, TX! My first stop was at Schanen Estates Elementary—home of the Shamrocks! I gave one presentation in the cafeteria in front of all the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in the school. Everyone seemed to have a great time—including me! After a fun chat with Mrs. Lopez, I packed up and zipped over to…
 
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Moore Elementary—home of the Eagles! The 4th graders were clued in to the fact that it was National Hat Day today (my first time visiting a school during such a momentous occasion), and I was greeted by kids with lids of all types. It was a grand finale to my visit to Corpus Christi!
 
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Thanks to Mrs. Costilla and Mrs. Lopez for inviting me. Thanks again to both of them for the wonderful gift bags—very generous. And a big thanks to all the Shamrocks and Eagles! Happy National Hat day and remember my many hats when you discover what you want to be when you grow up. Remember, whatever it is, you can do that!
 
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Jan 12

 
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My first author visit of 2016 had me at Westcreek Elementary in Fort Worth, TX! I gave a presentation for the 2nd and 3rd graders, one for 5th grade, and wrapped up with the 4th graders. I was pleased to see just how many Westcreek students were interested in writing (and even had more writing questions than special effects question—doesn’t happen all the time). It sounds as if 4th grade is good to go for their upcoming school writing camp!
 
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Thanks to Mrs. Lovings for the introduction. Thanks to Mrs. Bagley for inviting me and the educational literary lunch. And a big thanks to all the young readers and writers at Westcreek Elementary. And good luck to all the 4th graders at the writing camp. It sounds as if it’s going to be fun, entertaining, pleasurable, amusing, and agreeable! That’s some thesaurus work right there.
 
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