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!
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.
Today I enjoyed the company of the students of Shields Elementary in Victoria, TX—better known as the Sharks! The day before, I had just flown in from chilly Kansas City and had driven all the way down to Victoria where no jacket was needed. I must not have been ready for the shift in temperature because I was sweating in the South Texas humidity (something I haven’t been used to since living in Brownsville, TX). I still had a great time and was once again thrilled by how many young writers there were in both audiences. Way cool!
Thanks to Mrs. Stevens for inviting me (sorry I missed you). Thanks for Mrs. Mascorro for all the help. Thanks to Mr. Benhardt for the tech help and MacGyvering the mic situation. Thanks to Mrs. Mowles for taking pictures. And a big thanks to all the Shields Sharks. Keep writing those stories!
Today was “Character Day” at Brock Elementary in Burleson, Texas where, for once, I wasn’t the biggest character in school! All the students and teachers were dressed as his or her favorite book characters so I had an interesting view from the stage to say the least.
I gave three shows to three great groups of Brock Tigers and even signed a bunch of books. Speaking of which, I’m sorry that I missed signing your Speed Racer book, Nicolas. But as I mentioned, if I missed anyone, feel free to mail it to me with an SASE (we still remember what this is, right?) and I’ll sign it and get it right back to you. I’m happy to sign as many as you like!
Thanks to Mrs. Wellman (AKA Arnie the Doughnut) for inviting me and for the riveting lunch conversation (not to mention the fun stories in the teachers’ lounge—I always knew that they were having way more fun in there than they let on). Thanks to Mrs. Gustin for helping setting up. Thanks to Mrs. Tucker for the introductions. Thanks to Mrs. Graves for the superb photography. And a big thanks to all the Brock Elementary Tigers! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed my show and don’t forget your GRR!
Today I traveled all the way down (not up) to Portland … Texas, where I spent a fun day at WC Andrews Elementary — home of the Dolphins! I gave three performances amid some of the many cool dolphin murals and answered some great questions from the many young writers in all three audiences. Unfortunately, I had to shorten my first show since 1st grade had to leave for a field trip. But hey, they got to see me AND The Nutcracker today!
Now, I usually don’t use a podium, but I had to make an exception when I found out that the WCA podium was actually an Eagle Scout project from fellow Eagle Scout, Marco F. Muñoz of Troop 349. Great job, Marco!
Thanks to Mrs. Vela for inviting me. Thanks to Mrs. Sarchet for the tech support. Thanks to Principal Tarkington for the introductions. And a big thanks to all the WCA Dolphins! You were a great audience all around!
Today was a fun Friday at Bransford Elementary in Colleyville, TX! I was greeted with a cool sign, some energetic students, and the meeting of the junior principal and assistant principals for the day—Travis and Adam. They won the chance to spend the day with their adult counterparts (Mrs. Halliburton & Mrs. McEnery) and it looked as if one of their duties was to hobnob with visiting authors!
Before my final show, and after signing a bunch of books from the book fair, I was fortunate to have lunch with the KC club (which I found out stands for Kindness & Caring). They hadn’t seen the show yet so I had to answer many of the questions with “wait for the show,” but they came up with plenty of great writing questions anyway! Great meeting you: Brayden, Carly, Cort, Heather, Jackson, Lake, Lorna, Maddy, Natalie, Neha, and Travis.
Thanks to Mrs. Boyd for inviting me and the enjoyable scuba diving talk. Thanks to the KC kids for the fun lunch company. And thanks to all the BES students for being such a great audience. I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving break!
Today was a first for me at Timberline Elementary in Grapevine, TX! Everything started great with my appearance on the school’s morning video announcements and then I began my three performances. However, during the end of my talk with the 4th and 5th graders, an uninvited guest appeared! The students scattered as a dreaded red wasp buzzed into the gym, hovering at eye-level! Since the kids were distracted anyway (and I was the only one wearing a hat), I ran over, scooped up the wasp in my hat, and ushered it safely outside as a brave teacher held the door. Like I told the kids, just one of the many reasons to wear a hat!
Thanks to Ms. Harms for inviting me, taking pictures, and the tasty snacks. And thanks to the brave teacher (sorry, I didn’t get your name) for helping with the wasp situation. And a big thanks to all the great kids at Timberline Elementary! Remember the four words and you’ll continue to be great leaders for all!
Remember, no wasps were harmed in the making of this author visit.
Today was a fun day in Brenham, TX (home of Blue Bell Ice Cream, don’t you know) where I spent the day with the wonderful students of Brenham Middle School! Their first author visit ever (way cool), I gave three performances and was happy to sign more than 90 copies of my book, Night of the Dragons. I might need a pint of cold ice cream to place on my sore hand. Actually, Blue Bell is best taken internally.
For lunch, I had the pleasure of dining with a few of the BMS students, most of which won a drawing after buying my book. It was fun getting to know them and they got to know me better with the chance to ask more questions! Great to meet you: Adamari, Adrienne, Arianah, Cameron, Haley, Hannah, Kade, Kaitlyn, Kayleigh, Riley, Rudy, and Tanna.
Thanks to Mrs. Ilif for inviting me and taking pictures. Thanks to Mrs. Perez for the delicious tamales (extremely thoughtful). Thanks to Mrs. Still, Mrs. Gold, and Mr. Kuhn for the technical assist. Thanks to all the students and teachers who purchased copies of my book (I hope you enjoy them!). And a big thanks to all the BMS students. I hope my talk inspires you to read a book, write your own story, or just simply head out on your own adventure!
Today I ended my two day visit at All Saints Episcopal School with three sessions of writing workshops. I met a bunch of young writers and answered some insightful questions about my writing process (as well as some questions about my fez monkey collection). I hope everyone remembers some of my writing tips and begins impressing those teachers!
I also learned that before I arrived, the fourth graders all got together and created several book trailers for a few of my books.That’s a first for me! They creatively used computer programs, legos, and stop motion animation. You can check them out, too! Just click on the links below to pull them up.
Build This City
Catch That Crook
Chuggington
Fight That Fire
Fix That Truck
Look Out Below
Work This Farm
I enjoyed another lunch with some more students, this time the Middle School creative writing winners. Thanks for all the great questions: Brian, Cadien, Clay, Eliza, Elizabeth, Fiona, Jack, Jill, Lily, Rania, Serena, Serena, and Taylor.
Also between writing workshops, I zipped back to the Monster Book Fair to sign tons more copies of my books. In fact, I signed so many that if you read the third letter of every fourth book I signed, it spells out, “help, I’m trapped in a school signing books, please rescue me.”
Thanks again to Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Wilson for having me out and for being so accommodating and welcoming. Thanks to all the complimentary teachers I met during the past two days (so many that I can’t remember everyone’s names).Thanks again to all the Momsters for their help during my brief book fair stay. Thanks to all the 4th graders for the swanky book trailers. And another big thanks to all the students at All Saints. I hope you enjoy my books and I expect some of you to become fantastic writers!
Today I enjoyed day one of two at All Saints Episcopal School in Beaumont, TX! I was fortunate to be the first visiting author in their newly renovated library AND attend part of the week-long book fair. It was a monster of a fair, literally, with a monster theme throughout. The attending parents (or MOMsters) excelled in their spooky theme. I know because between presentations, I spent a lot of time in there signing dozens of copies of my books!
For lunch, I was one of many writers as I had a pizza party with all the creative writing winners! I answered tons more questions and got to hear about many fiction, non-fiction, and poetry entries. Thanks for the great lunch: Aayan, Alexander, Ariana, Brook, Cara, Carlisle, Ciara, Clara, Hadlee, Hailey, Jadyn, Maddie, Mamie, Matthew, Matthew, Meris, Molly, Sarah, Tristen, and Zeenia.
I received another treat from Mrs. Harrison’s 2nd graders in the form of fall-themed rhymes they created after reading one of my rhyming books. Here are three:
I see the colorful leaves of fall.
They rain down from trees so tall.
Mya
In a pile of leaves I rake.
Suddenly I see an angry snake.
Ethan
I have a good Fall time.
It is fun to create a rhyme.
Avery
Thanks to Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Wilson for having me out. Thanks to all the Momsters for their help during the book fair. Thanks again to Mrs. Harrington’s 2nd graders for the rhymes. And a big thanks to all the students at All Saints. See you tomorrow for writing workshops!
Today I was fortunate to visit the 2nd and 3rd graders at Read-Turrentine Elementary in Silsbee, TX! I had a great time during my stay and everyone was very welcoming. I especially enjoyed seeing everyone dressed in their favorite college colors (it was College Day, after all).
I performed two shows and all the students and teachers seemed to have a good time. However, I had an extra special treat for the day—my third cousin, Wyatt was hidden among the 3rd graders! I enjoyed visiting with him and even (just barely) talked him into posing for a picture.
Thanks to Mr. Kilcrease and Mr. Camron for helping me set up and the expert tech troubleshooting. Thanks to Mr. Barton for the intro. Thanks to Elissa for being such a big Wishbone fan. Thanks to Mrs. Langley for inviting me and to her and Mrs. Sandifer for the pleasant lunch conversation. And a big thanks to all the great kids at Read-Turrentine! You were the perfect ending for my two-day jaunt to your area!
