Today I finished my Mansfield ISD tour with an exciting day at Sheppard Elementary, in Mansfield, TX–home of the Sheppard Colts! I signed bunches of students’ books and got to give three presentations using Mrs. Prince’s big screen. And that wasn’t the only big thing in the Sheppard Library. This was the first library I’ve visited with a full-sized covered wagon reading area! No kidding. Sheppard students can read books about western wagon trains, all while kicking back inside a covered wagon of their very own. How cool is that?
Thanks to Mrs. Prince and the Sheppard PTA for having me out. Thanks for Mrs. Barta for taking pictures. Thanks to both of them and former school librarian, Mrs. McAmis for the great lunch companionship. And a big thanks to all the Sheppard Colts. I hope you enjoy the copies of my books in your library. Be sure to read them inside that wagon for me!
Day three in Mansfield ISD and I found my way (eventually) to Neal Elementary, in Mansfield, TX–home of the Cheetahs! I took a few wrong turns getting there because the little lady in the box (my GPS) had the address wrong. But even though I arrived a few minutes later than planned, Mrs. Norris helped me set up in a snap. I had a fun time presenting to three large groups of kids, many of whom brought their own books for me to sign. Several even shared some of the stories they were writing. So cool!
Thanks to Mrs. Norris and the Neal Elementary PTA for having me out and a big thanks to all the Neal Elementary Cheetahs (a name they chose themselves)! Keep reading and keep coming up with those great stories!
Today I got to meet all the great students at Tarver-Rendon Elementary in Burleson, TX. It was 50s day today in honor of the 50th day of school. Many students and teachers were dressed in 50s styles; if I had known, I would’ve worn my leather jacket! I performed two shows, signed some books, and gave a writing workshop for some of the 3rd and 4th graders. Mrs. Buckles even had the great idea to raffle off thee of my books. Great questions: Abby, Aidan, Alina, Ashlyn, Autumn, Bryant, Cayden, Chloe, Conley, Daniel, Gicelia, Grace, Hannah, Jake, Joshua, Kinly, Logan, Madeline, Miranda, Nevaeh, Pavel, Purity, Samantha, Savannah, and Sydney. I hope you had as much fun as I did!
Thanks to Mrs. Buckles for heading up this Mansfield ISD tour. Thanks to Mrs. Buckles again and the Tarver-Rendon PTA for having me out. Thanks to Mrs. Krueger for helping me set up and for “warming up the crowd” with her songs (feel free to use my farm song in the future, if you can remember how to make the giraffe sound). And a big thanks to all the great Tarver-Rendon students. All the best during your next 50 days!
Today was the first day of my Mansfield ISD tour with a stop at Ponder Elementary in Burleson, TX. I gave three presentations, signed some books, and met several wonderful Ponder students and teachers. I was fortunate to visit Ponder this fall because they’re moving to a brand new school after Christmas break. Mrs. Campbell even showed it to me on the way back from lunch. It’s big, new, and almost ready to be filled with curious students!
Thanks to Mrs. Campbell and the Ponder PTA for inviting me (and for the great lunch). Thanks to Mrs. Brown for helping me set up. Thanks to Mrs. Coatney’s class for the wonderful thank you banner. And a big thanks to all the great students at Ponder Elementary! I hope you enjoy your new school!
Be sure to check out Mrs. Campbell’s cool library blog HERE!
The last stop of my short tour took me Eastward, over to Mize Attendance Center in Mize, MS! I was on the big stage this time and had the unique opportunity to perform for 2nd graders all the way up to 8th graders. All grades were very polite and were full of fun questions. I even had one boy ask who was my favorite superhero. It’s always cool to see when, after I give my answer (Batman), most of the boys in the audience raise their hands triumphantly and high-five each other. It’s true, I’m more of a DC guy than a Marvel guy.
Thanks to Mr. Jones for inviting me (I enjoyed talking bees and blueberries between shows). Thanks to Mrs. Adams for taking pictures and to Mrs. White for all the help. And a big thanks to the wonderful students at Mize Attendance Center. You were the perfect end to my first Mississippi tour!
Another day in Mississippi and another welcome sign in front of Madison Avenue Upper Elementary, in Madison, MS! I had a fast and furious morning with three shows for all the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Just like their younger counterparts next door, everyone was excited, full of questions, and extremely polite; I heard “yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir” so many times, I felt like an officer in the Army. I had the pleasure of meeting many of them personally when I signed 200 copies of my Night of the Dragons book!
During a signing break, I had a chance to meet a fellow author and teacher at MAUE, Mrs. Michelle Smith. She gave me a copy of her first book all about the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Don’t worry, her colorful book makes it much clearer than it sounds. It’s called What in the World is Common Core? and it’s illustrated by DeAnna Backel. You can get your copy HERE or simply click the book cover below.
Thanks to Mrs. Berry and the PTO for having me out and giving me a big Mississippi welcome for the second day in a row–I think Mrs. Berry did great organizing her first author visit! And thanks to all the wonderful students at Madison Avenue Upper Elementary. I hope you all enjoy your books!
My first ever school visit to Mississippi greeted me with a welcome sign right out front of Madison Avenue Elementary, in Madison, MS! Inside, I was greeted by tons of students who already knew me on sight and were anxious to see the show! I went on to give three performances for Kinder, First, and Second Grade with plenty of book-signing in between.
For more pictures from the action-packed day (as well as some previous MAE author and illustrator visits), be sure to visit the official MAE Library website HERE.
Thanks to Mrs. Wilson for making my first school visit in Mississippi a true pleasure. Thanks to her again and the MAE PTO for inviting me. Thanks to Katia for taking pictures and for all her help. Thanks to all the kids who brought books to sign and a big Texas thank you from me to all the MAE students! I hope you had as much fun watching as I did performing!
The first author visit of the school year had me at my first school that shared a name AND a street address–Stults Road Elementary, in Dallas, Texas! It was a fast and furious day with three shows back-to-back, beginning in the cafeteria with the Kinder, 1st, and 2nd graders. It was the first show of the morning so I had to wake them up with boisterous entertainment, in which they joined nicely along the way. Then, it was off to the library for two more shows with the rest of the school, 3rd & 4th graders, and then the 5th and 6th graders!
I had time to rest and enjoy a nice lunch with several 1st graders. They were full of lovely questions (as well as cheeseburgers–it was cheeseburger day, after all), and I learned what everyone planned to be for Halloween. It was great meeting and eating with: Abigail, Denise, Fernanda, Justice, Kevin, Khamani, and Mrs. Page.
I rounded out the day with a classroom visit and some book signing. Thanks to Ms. Johnson for inviting me and thanks to all the students at Stults Road Elementary. A great group of kids, you were polite, inquisitive, and made my first author visit of the school year quite an enjoyable one!
I had the opportunity to read this script when I wrote the official novelization and I think it’s going to be the best Night at the Museum yet! Be sure to see the film when it hits theaters this Christmas. Or, if you can’t wait that long, read the novelization when it’s released shortly before.
Can’t even wait that long? Really?!! Then I guess you should check out the trailer and more at the official movie site HERE.
I don’t usually post another author’s work, but I’d like to share this new release written by fellow Eagle Scouts, Danny & Will McNeil. Me First! A Modern Day Fable of Service, Scouting, and Self-Esteem.
I was fortunate enough to read some early proofs of this book (not to mention, my newly-arrived first edition–thanks, guys!) and I can’t recommend it enough. If you know a young Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, or any young reader for that matter, then this book will entertain as well as educate them about the reward of helping others. It’s smart, funny, and nicely illustrated by David Damby. Click the link below to get your copy today!
Way to go, Will and Danny! Keep up the great Scouting and be sure to keep writing. I can’t wait to read your next book!