STAND UP FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES: Hands Off! March at City Hall in Culver City, California

Hands Off! March, Culver City, California.

On Saturday, April 5th, I joined thousands of other marchers at City Hall in Culver City, California, to protest the defunding of so many federal programs that people depend on, including services to schools and libraries. It was a day to stand up and be counted. We need our Democracy!

AUTHOR VISIT AT ECHO HORIZON SCHOOL, Culver City, CA

With librarian Claudette Brown at Echo Horizon School

I had a great time last Monday with the first and second graders at Echo Horizon School in Culver City. California. Many thanks to librarian, Claudette Brown for inviting me and for preparing the students for my visit. I loved their imaginary creatures inspired by my Hodag book! Each student had created their animal using the activity sheet downloadable from my website.

The children were very responsive to my presentation, asking lots of questions and answering mine. I was impressed that they all knew the terms “diurnal” and “nocturnal” when I showed them my Day and Night books.

I thank Children’s Book World for making my books available for purchase and signing. On my way to the school I picked up the books that had been ordered and signed them so that they could be delivered to the students after my talk.

As a bonus to my visit I happened upon a caterpillar on my way into school. (It was crawling along the sidewalk.) I picked it up, put it in a jar,  and shared it with the children—a perfect supplement to talking about my book Butterflies in Room 6. I brought it home where it has since made a chrysalis. Over the next two weeks it will metamorphosize and become a beautiful Mourning Cloak butterfly.

Mourning Cloak butterfly

AUTHOR VISIT at Echo Horizon School, Culver City, CA

With Librarian Claudette Brown in the Echo Horizon School Library

On Monday, I had an excellent visit with second and third graders at Echo Horizon School in Culver City, California. Librarian Claudette Brown had done a super job of preparing the students by acquainting them with a wide variety of my books. Soon the students will be doing their own research projects. I met with the students and their teachers in the beautiful school library. I began with several activities and my slide presentation and concluded by reading my tall tale about a “mixed-up” animal, The Terrible Hodag and the Animal Catchers.

Then, after making a list of various real animals for inspiration, the students had a chance to create their own imaginary “mixed-up” animals using a worksheet I had provided. Claudette had also arranged with local bookstore, Children’s Book World, to order books that students could purchase for autographing. I am sure that long after my visit is over, the students and teachers will be remembering our day together. I know that I will! Thank you, Claudette, for inviting me!

Author Visit at Park Century School, Culver City, CA

Last Tuesday I spoke to students and teachers at Park Century School in Culver City as part of their week of celebrating reading. I was impressed by their enthusiasm and good attention and their excellent questions at the end of my presentation. I thank librarian and reading specialist Sarah Ziolkowska for inviting me and doing such a good job of organizing my visit. It was a pleasure to get to know her and to meet the other teachers and a staff at Park Century.