HUNTINGTON BEACH AUTHOR FESTIVAL (Again): Star View School

Star View Elementary School, Huntington Beach, CA

Yesterday, on a bright windy day, I visited a second school in Huntington Beach, California, as part of the annual Huntington Beach Author Festival, this time at Star View School. (They weren’t able to have me to come last week on the official day, so we scheduled it a week later.) I spoke to three groups of very enthusiastic students grades TK to Five, doing my usual program for each age group. As always, the kids enjoyed having their wingspans measured to find out what kind of bird they would be. And, as always, the third graders tended to be red-tailed hawks; it took two kids to be as wide as the wingspan of a bald eagle! All the kids were intrigued by my huge fossil mammoth tooth, which I show in connection with my book Trapped in Tar.
After lunch, I signed the books that had been ordered. I know the kids were eager to get their books after school. For those who didn’t buy books, they can always go to the library to read my books.
I thank teacher Sandy Wahrenbrock for coordinating my visit, organizing the book orders, and providing me with a delicious lunch. I also thank Andrea Van Holt in the office for taking care of the official details of my visit. I enjoyed my visit to Star View!

It's Authors Day at Star View!

HUNTINGTON BEACH AUTHOR FESTIVAL: Visit to Golden View School

At the Huntington Beach Library

Yesterday was the 32nd annual Huntington Beach Author’s Festival in Huntington Beach, California, organized by the Friends of the Children’s Library (FOTCL) Author’s Festival Committee. Along with more than twenty other children’s book authors, I spent a day at a local school, followed by a reception at the Huntington Beach Library. I have been participating in this celebration of books and reading almost every year since it’s beginning.

Welcome signs made by the Student Council greeted me all over the school.

This year I visited Golden View Elementary School and was hosted by PTO parent LeJarie Noguchi, who did a wonderful job organizing my day and promoting my books to the children. I spoke to three groups of children, pre-K through fifth grade, in their meeting room called Toad Hall. All of my audiences were terrific–very enthusiastic and asking good questions. The PTO put on a delicious lunch, which was a time for me to meet and talk with the teachers.

The garden is a learning area.

A highlight of my visit to Golden View was a tour of The Farm, a two and a half acre outdoor education area with garden plots, animals, a pond and large grassy areas, and sheds for tools and other equipment.

Sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and geese are among the animals that live at The Farm

During my tour, led by Principal Lori Florgan, I saw an enthusiastic group of upper grade students busily taking care of the animals and working in the garden. What a wonderful way for students to do “hands-on” science–and be able to eat the vegetables they produce.

The lettuce is ready to harvest!

After lunch at Golden View and signing books purchased by students, I went to the library for the afternoon reception. Volunteers on the festival committee, dressed in red shirts, made sure everyone knew where to go and had everything they needed. Students who had won prizes for their stories were honored in the auditorium with their proud parents and teachers watching in the audience.

Signing books at my table at the afternoon reception at the Huntington Beach Library

This event would not go on except for the hard work and dedication of the Friends of the Children’s Library. For many years Gail Page has led the committee and I thank her for her dedication over all the years of the Festival. This year, under her guidance, the torch has passed to Larry Hersh, who did a terrific job of coordinating the many facets of the Festival. I always enjoy going to Huntington Beach and having the chance to see old friends and share my books with new readers.

AUTHOR FESTIVAL, Huntington Beach, CA: Visit to Eader Elementary

Book signing at the Huntington Beach Author Festival, Huntington Beach, CA

Yesterday was the 31st annual Huntington Beach Author’s Festival in Huntington Beach, California, organized by the Friends of the Children’s Library (FOTCL) Author’s Festival Committee. Along with more than twenty other children’s book authors, I spent a day at a local school, followed by a reception at the Huntington Beach Library. I have been participating in this celebration of books and reading almost every year since it’s beginning.

With librarian Julie Prager at Eader Elementary School

This year I visited Eader Elementary School and was hosted by library media technician Julie Prager, who did a wonderful job organizing my day and promoting my books to the children. I spoke to four groups of children, pre-K through fifth grade, in the library. I appreciated Julie’s flexibility when my projector developed a technical problem. Luckily we were able to quickly switch to her computer and the library projector and make some adjustments to the seating arrangement and all went smoothly. All of my audiences were terrific–very enthusiastic and asking good questions. The school had not had an author visit for several years and it was great to see what an impact my visit had on students and teachers. I thank Julie and the support of the school principal for helping to make it happen.

Huntington Beach Library

After lunch at Eader and signing books purchased by students, I went to the library for the afternoon reception. Volunteers on the festival committee, dressed in red shirts, made sure everyone knew where to go and had everything they needed. Students who had won prizes for their stories were honored in the auditorium with their proud parents and teachers watching in the audience.
This event would not go on except for the hard work and dedication of Gail Page who has led the festival for many years. Thank you Gail! I always enjoy the chance to share my books with new readers and to see old friends.

Sign in the Eader School Library

AUTHOR VISIT at Circle View School, Author Festival, Huntington Beach, CA

Autographing books at the library at the Huntington Beach Author Festival

Tuesday January 30th was the annual Author Festival in Huntington Beach, California. I have been participating in the Huntington Beach Author Festival almost every year since it started in 1989, with a morning visit to an elementary school and an afternoon reception and book sale at the Huntington Beach Library.

Add caption

This year I was at Circle View School and spoke to three groups of enthusiastic students, kindergarten through third grade. I thank teachers Jo Marie Costello and Glenda Mooradian for coordinating my visit and Pam Justice in the library for setting up the room and equipment and for my snack "goody bag."

Thanks also to the PTA for a delicious lunch in the teacher’s lounge and for supporting a purchase of books for the library. I always enjoy the chance to chat with teachers and staff at lunch.

After lunch I joined authors who had been visiting other schools for a gala reception at the Huntington Beach library. Volunteers on the festival committee, dressed in red shirts, made sure everything ran smoothly. Students who had won prizes for their stories were honored in the auditorium, with their proud parents and teachers watching in the audience.
This event would not go on year after year except for the hard work and dedication of Gail Page who has led the festival for many years and her hardworking committee of volunteers. Thank you! I always enjoy the chance to share my books with new readers, to see old friends, and to make new ones. 

AUTHOR FESTIVAL, Huntington Beach, CA, Visit to Perry School

Signing books at the Huntington Beach Library

Tuesday, January 26th was the annual Huntington Beach, California, Author Festival, a wonderful day of authors and illustrators visiting schools followed by a gala reception and book signing at the Huntington Beach Public Library. My day started with presentations to three groups of students–kindergarteners, first graders and third graders–at Perry Elementary School.

Mascot of Perry Elementary School

We met in the library and I was pleased with the enthusiastic response by both students and teachers. I thank librarian Julie Prager for preparing the students and buying some of my more recent books for the library collection.

Huntington Beach Public Library

The afternoon reception at the public library began at 2:30 and children arrived with their parents to meet the authors and attend the award ceremony for the “Locked in the Library” writing and illustrating contest winners. I thank Gail Page, all the hardworking members of the Friends of the Children’s Library and Authors Festival Committee, the library staff, the Employees Community Fund of Boeing California, and all the other generous supporters for making the festival possible. This was the 28th Annual Authors Festival! I have participated in the festival almost every year since it began. It is always a great day!

AUTHOR FESTIVAL, Huntington Beach, California

Signing books at the Huntington Beach Library

On January 28th, I participated in the annual Author Festival in Huntington Beach, California along with twenty-one other authors. As always, it was a stimulating and exciting day.  In the morning we visited schools in the community and then convened at the public library for a gala afternoon reception.

Welcome banner at College View School

My school this year was College View, where I had three groups of very enthusiastic children.  The day was organized superbly by school librarian Leslie Selder who made sure that I had everything I needed. A wonderful banner greeted me at the entrance to the school.  During our lunch break we had a relaxing and a delicious meal at a local café Deli-licious with principal Cathy Smith.

Arriving for the Author Festival Reception

The afternoon reception was a chance to chat with other participating authors and see their new books and to renew acquaintances from previous visits.  A bevy of volunteers wearing red shirts made sure that everyone was comfortable.  The afternoon featured the children who had written winning essays for the writing contest.  It was a treat to see the children in their dress-up clothes and looking so proud of their accomplishments.  There were many proud teachers, parents and grandparents as well!
I thank the Author Festival committee, the sponsors, and many volunteers for making this special day possible.

With fellow author Gretchen Woelfle at the library

SCHOOL VISIT, Westminster Author Festival, Westminster, CA

At Meairs Elementary, Westminster, CA

Yesterday I had a wonderful day as an "author in residence" as part of the annual Westminster Author Festival in Westminster, California. The day began with a delicious breakfast at the Westminster Public Library put on by the Friends of the Library and where I met my hosts for the day, Charlene Bailey, librarian, and Kathy Kane, principal, of Iva Meairs Elementary School.  After a short program at the library and valedictory by Joan Hansen to "excite and enchant our readers," we went to the school.  I gave three presentations in the multipurpose room to students pre-school through fifth grade and was pleased with the enthusiastic response by both students and teachers.  A teacher told me at lunchtime that her students rushed back to the classroom after the program so they could start making their own books!  Lunch was a delicious potluck buffet provided by the teachers. 

I have been participating in the Westminster Author Festival for many years and glad that it continues to provide the opportunity for students to meet and be inspired by "real live authors."  When I was a child, a never met an author, and I wish I had.  I want to thank Charlene Bailey for doing such a good job of organizing my day at Meairs School and making sure that everything ran smoothly.

Illustration Exhibit at Morris Graves Museum of Art

Two of my cut paper illustrations, one from A Moose’s World and one from A Bald Eagle’s World are currently on exhibit at the Morris Graves Museum of Art in Eureka, California, as part of the bi-annual Humboldt County Author Festival.  As part of the festival, select works from participating illustrators are on exhibit to demonstrate the processes of illustration in children’s literature.  The art exhibit will be on view from September 3 through October 30, Wednesday–Sunday, 12:00–5:00.  If you are going to be in Eureka during that time, please stop by and see the show! 
Along with 25 other authors and illustrators, I will be participating in the Author Festival, October 19-22, visiting schools, signing books at the library, and enjoying being with friends and book lovers in beautiful Humboldt County.  I always look forward to it.  For more information about the festival click here.