Michael Anthony Steele

 

 
For my last day this week in Kansas City, I drove over to Gardner, Kansas to visit Madison Elementary–home of the Madison Bears! I enjoyed an exciting morning presentation with the Kindergardeners, 1st, and 2nd graders. Then I had an amazing show with the 3rd and 4th graders. The dragon roar seem to come naturally to all of them! Must be the bear thing, huh?
 
Thanks to Terri Dewey and the PTO for inviting me. Thanks to Mrs. Daniels in the front office for all the help. And a big thanks to all the Madison Elementary Bears. Keep roaring!
 

 

 
This morning I visited South Valley Middle School in Liberty, Missouri! The 6th and 7th graders were really interested in my Special Effects segment and… I think I see some future explosions with some of their names on it (only on a movie set, please). Way to go, Knights!
 
After both my shows, I recorded an interview segment for the South Valley Knightly Knews! See me below with the Knightly Knews team. I had a great time and only took three takes recording their brief promo – I’m so camera shy, you know.
 

 
Thanks to Robin Lewis having me out, for lunch, and for all the help. And a special thanks to the South Valley Knights!
 

 

 

 
This afternoon, I was lucky enough to present to Liberty Middle School, in Liberty Missouri! Other than being in front of such an energetic audience, I got to perform in Liberty’s community theater! It was a giant venue and I certainly got my exercise running around that huge stage. But, as you can see, I don’t let a large stage keep me from connecting with my audience. They were fantastic!
 
Thanks to Susan Martin for having me out and a big thanks to all the Liberty Middle School Explorers! Keep exploring great books!
 

 

 

 
I’m thrilled to have been asked back to Kansas City by Lee’s Summit Reading Council!
 
This morning, I got to visit Summit Pointe Elementary — home of the Panthers! I was greeted by a very cool sign, drawn with smelly markers, no less. Mmmm… strawberry… Then I gave a presentation to a wonderful audience and began signing a ton of books. In fact, there are so many books to sign, I am going to have to take a bunch with me to sign later! It’s going to be hard to get to them, I have a busy day ahead.
 
Thanks to Mrs. Cox for inviting me. And a big thanks to all the Summit Pointe Panthers! Keep reading and keep writing!
 

 

 

 
I still haven’t signed Summit Pointe’s books because I had to rush over nearby Prairie View Elementary! I had two shows to perform there in front of a great bunch of kids. They had some of the best questions and really put their all behind those giraffe sounds. Way to go!
 
Thanks to Mrs. Rowett for being a wonderful host. She was a great help with the lunch, the shows, and the book signings. She really whizzed them through the line (but I still didn’t get to my box of books from Summit Pointe — uh-oh!).
 

 

 

 
After a quick shower and wardrobe change back at the hotel, I headed back to Prairie View Elementary for the special Young Author Reception. It’s where many wonderful young authors and illustrators from a bunch of nearby schools were recognized for their great work. They even had their stories and illustrations published in a special book!
 
I gave another presentation and (even with some minor technical difficulties) it went great! I was honored to congratulate each and every one of the young authors and illustrators and even posed for a picture with each group! I signed a bunch more books (under the watchful eyes of Rico and Skipper, as you can see) and, after everyone had gone home, I finally signed the rest of Summit Pointe’s books! Whew!
 
Thanks again to Jessi Cox and Lee’s Summit Reading Council for a great day all around. And, as you can see, I’ve already taken my Summit Pointe Panther shirt hiking up some cool Kansas City trails I found!
 

 

 

 
I was delighted to be included as one of the 2012 Top Ten Haute Young Authors at this year’s Tables of Content — an annual fundraiser put on by Colophon Friends of the SMU Libraries. I’ll not only sign books at the event but also meet several amazing authors as well as witness the presentation of the 3rd Annual Literati Award to SMU Professor of English, Marshall Terry.
 
If interested in attending, please call 214.768.3225 or email cruppi@smu.edu by March 26, 2012.
 
Proceeds from this event benefit the annual Grants Program sponsored by the Friends of the SMU Libraries which supports the purchase of books, periodicals, electronic resources, and other much-needed equipment and materials for all of the SMU libraries.