Today I enjoyed a great time at Brooks-Quinn-Jones Elementary (AKA BQJ)! I gave two performances in front of the big screen in the cafeteria with two enthusiastic crowds. After one of the shows, I even got to browse a couple of stories from one of the young BQJ writers. They were “Zombie in the Closet” and “Hippo on the Airplane.” Creative stuff. Keep writing, Kennedi!
After signing bunches of books, I had a pizza party with the winners and honorable mentions of the drawing contest. Some talented work decorated the library, and I hear that they will soon come up with stories do go with those drawings! Great job: Alicia, Chloe, Davion, Dillon, Eduardo, Isabelle, Jennifer, Kelsy, Kiran, Raven, and Ximena!
Before I performed my last show in the library, I was interviewed on-camera by KETK. It’s a good thing the interview snuck up on me so I didn’t have a chance to be anxious. Oddly enough, I can make pig oinks (with the face to match) in front of hundreds of students but interviews make me nervous.
Thanks to Mrs. Sanders for having me out. Thanks to Coach Jones for the technical support (and The Time reference). Thanks to Ms. Stephanie and Ms. Courtney for all the help (good luck with the guitar, Stephanie). And a big thanks to all the young readers and writers at BQJ! I hope someday to read some of those books, stories, and comic books I heard so much about!
Today I visited two fun schools in one day! This morning I had the pleasure of meeting all the great kids at Emeline Carpenter Elementary. It was picture day so I wasn’t the only one dressed up!
I performed two shows in the gym where Mrs. Cassie and Ms. Ella signed along during my shows. I talk fast so I hope they weren’t too worn out afterward.
After my presentations it was off to the library to sign a bunch more Night of the Dragons books. I hope everyone enjoys them!
After lunch, I zipped over to Nettie Marshall Academy of Dual Language where they were celebrating their 100th day of school. I performed in the gym and then over on the main stage in the cafeteria. Before both shows, two students, Jiletsi and Izaiden were brave enough to give my introduction in front of the entire school!
Thanks to Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Flores for having me out. Thanks again to Mrs. Taylor for setting everything up (great to finally meet you after all the emailing). Thanks to Coach Chatman and Mr. K (sounds like the name of a funk band from the 70s) for all the technical support. Thanks again to Mrs. Cassie and Ms. Ella for translating. Thanks again to Jiletsi and Izaiden for the introductions (you did great!). And the biggest thanks of all goes to all the wonderful students at Carpenter and Nettie Marshall. Have fun at your upcoming book fairs and pick up some more brain food—you know, books!
Today I began my week-long NISD tour at Raguet Elementary, in Nacogdoches, TX! I performed three shows and the students were courteous, friendly, and welcoming!
There were book signings after every show, too! Several Raguet students got a copy of my Night of the Dragons book, which is fitting since all of Nacogdoches ISD are the Dragons! Hence, I won’t call out everyone’s mascot this week. However, this does explain why everyone’s dragon roars were top notch. I’m going to need a hearing aid by the end of the week!
Thanks to Mrs. Herson-Green for having me out, for lunch, and dining conversation. Thanks to Mrs. Cole for help setting up. And a big thanks to each and every Raquet Elementary student. Your school was a great start for my week in Nacogdoches!
My second day in Sherman, TX began at Neblett Elementary–home of the Knights! I didn’t see them at first but Jasmine and Rihanna quickly ushered me to where the cool thank you banners were hung (they especially wanted to show off the one they had made personally).
After two shows, I signed some books and then enjoyed a pizza party with a select few Neblett Knights. I enjoyed my time with you: Aiden, Ariana, Bailey, Ethan H. Ethan L., Joan, Liberty, Mallorie, Mariela, Molly, Raymond, and Treasure.
After lunch, I dashed over to Washington Elementary to hang out with the 3rd and 4th grade Washington Tigers. Even though only two grades were represented, I’m sure their tiger roars were heard throughout the rest of the school!
Thanks to Mrs. Melton and Mrs. White for having me out. Thanks to Mrs. Weeks and Mrs. Donohoe for the tech support. Thanks to Mrs. Hartman for the pics. And a big thanks to all the wonderful Knights and Tigers for making a fun end to my visit to Sherman ISD!
Today I began my brief tour of Sherman ISD with Jefferson Elementary—home of the Eagles! I gave a presentation to the entire school and received a special book written by one of the students. Thanks, Levi!
Afterward, I zipped over to the library to sign a few books and experience one of Mrs. Evans’ virtual field trips—this one to Mount Everest. Good thing everyone was bundled up!
Once down from the summit, I learned that Jefferson is getting their very own book published and it’s being dedicated…to me! That’s a first for me. I can’t wait to read it!
Later, I was lucky to have lunch with some of the bright young Eagles themselves. It was great meeting you: Adrian, Chloe, Daniella, Emily, Jeremy, King, Korbin, Maria, Maya, and Skylar.
For the afternoon, I headed over to Wakefield Elementary—to meet the Mustangs! It was another huge audience with another single presentation to the entire school. I bet they heard the dragon roars all the way over at Jefferson. But before it all began, Mrs. Daniels presented me with a school shirt and a trophy for being one of Wakefield’s Heroes. Very cool!
Thanks to Mrs. Noble, Mrs. Evans, and Mrs. Berry for having me out. Thanks to Mrs. Evan for the book AND book dedication. Thanks again to Mrs. Daniels for the shirt and trophy. And a big thanks to the Jefferson Eagles and Wakefield Mustangs. You were very welcoming during my first day in Sherman, TX!
My first visit of the year had me taking a short jaunt down to Houston, TX at Field Elementary! I spoke to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders who had been brainstorming great questions long before I arrived–and it showed! And that’s not all they did before I showed up; most of the students helped create cool welcome banners!
Between shows I enjoyed an entertaining lunch with a few of Field’s best readers and writers. I got to answer some more insightful questions and I learned about all their favorite books. It was great talking to you: Ada, Aeofo, Alexa, Alyssa, Jasmin, Kendahl, Nadeline, Nadiyah, and Sofia!
I also got to sign tons of books for many of the students, thanks to the Field PTO!
Even though Mia’s Kindergarten class didn’t make my show, she had to come down to the library and get her book signed. I’m glad you enjoyed my book, Mia!
Thanks to Mrs. Esquivel for all the hard work and great company. Thanks to Mrs. Ho Peché and the Field PTO for inviting me and setting up the book signing. And the biggest thanks of all goes to the great students at Field Elementary. I couldn’t ask for a better way to begin the new year!
Day of three of three in DFW had me up north in Allen, TX (right down the road from the old Wishbone backlot). I spent a fun-filled day with the Vikings of Vaughan Elementary! There were banners greeting me on the way in and tons of kids who welcomed me face-to-face. A very nice reception!
Between shows I even got the chance to visit some classrooms where I answered some more great questions from the kids (and teachers). Here we are at Mrs. Duckworth’s and Mrs. Domenico’s class. I even got to sign Hunter’s own Garfield book. It looked very well-read!
Thanks to Mrs. Almand and the PTA for inviting me out. Thanks to Mrs. Beasley for all the help and the nice pics. And a big thanks to each and every one of the Vaughan Vikings! Enjoy your last week of school and Happy Holidays to all!
Day two of three in DFW had me in Dallas at Thurgood Marshall Elementary—home of the Bulldogs! I was greeted with a cool welcome sign as well as a bulletin board where several students came up with alternate endings to some of my books—sweet! There are quite a few creative story endings up there proving that TME is full of talented young writers!
In the middle of performing four shows in the school library for 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th, I was lucky to have lunch with four 5th and 6th graders who were chosen for their great attitudes and behavior. They got to ask more questions and fun discussing some of their favorite books. It was a pleasure to meet you: Ariyanna, Devan, Larissa, and Nevaeh!
Thanks to Dr. Dowd for having me out and for all the great work prepping the students for my arrival. Thanks to Mr. Stengel for the tech support. Thanks again to my four lunch companions. And the biggest thanks of all to the rest of the TME Bulldogs! Keep reading and keep writing those stories. I know that you’re going to be all you can be at TME!
Today I began a short DFW tour with the last three school visits of the year! One of three was in Richardson, TX at Yale Elementary —home of the Roadrunners! Even though the school is going through some renovations, the 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th graders fit nicely in the library for three fun shows. Everyone had wonderful questions but, as usual, I couldn’t get to everyone. Don’t forget to email me anytime with any questions you want: HERE. I hope these Roadrunners race into reading as soon as they get home!
Thanks to Mrs. Boesch for inviting me (sorry I didn’t get to meet you today). Thanks to Mrs. Yates for taking over, for lunch, and for all the great pictures. Thanks to Mr. David for the tech support. Thanks to Ms. Moore’s 3rd grade class for all the wonderful letters (see below for a couple of portraits from John and Mariam). And a big thanks to the rest of the Yale Roadrunners. You were a great way to welcome me back to Texas!
I’m back in Texas and traveled to a slightly closer location in China Spring where I visited two schools and hundreds of kids! My first stop was at China Spring Elementary and as you can see, we really filled the gym. Hopefully my eardrums will recover from the literal roar of their dragon roars!
After the first show, I zipped over to China Spring Intermediate where I had access to the big screen, which is good because I performed for almost 700 enthusiastic students in that go. There were a couple of technical glitches but that didn’t distract the kids because they had some great questions near the end of my show!
After lunch (thanks to Mrs. Devening and the PTA), I was back at China Spring Elementary for one last show. I was surprised to see an even bigger audience the second time around. Now I know why they had to have two different shows!
Thanks to fellow author, Mrs. Devening and both schools’ PTAs for having me out. Thanks to all the coaches for the uses of their gyms (and for helping me set up). And the biggest thanks of all goes to all the China Spring Cougars (both elementary and intermediate)! I hope everyone had as good a time as I did. And the next time you see Mrs. Devening or someone from the PTA, be sure to thank them for caring about your art and music exposure. I think both are vitally important to your education. I know they were to me!
