AUTHOR VISIT AT GOLDEN VIEW SCHOOL, Huntington Beach, CA

On May 24 I had an enjoyable visit at Golden View School in Huntington Beach, California and gave presentations to the Pre-K, K, and 1st and 2nd grade students. I was pleased with the good response to my program and the students' enthusiastic participation in the "Lion Hunt" and singing the Wiggle and Waggle song. They also helped count down the launch of the rocket as I read My Friend from Outer Space. 

The visit was sponsored by the Huntington Beach Friends of the Children's Library (FOTCL), a group that has been supporting author visits to the schools for many years. This year FOTCL donated $100 to the school to purchase copies of my books for their library. Now the students at Golden View can continue to enjoy my books in years to come. I thank Larry Hersh and Sandy de la Fuente, volunteers with FOTCL, who helped make the arrangements for this visit. And I thank librarian Alina Jiminez-Newton and principal Lori Florgan at Golden View for organizing the day, coordinating the book orders, and helping with the technology. And I especially thank the lower grade teachers for welcoming me and  providing delicious snacks in the teachers' lounge.

AUTHORS AND SCHOOLS FESTIVAL, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA

With welcome poster at Sts. Simon and Jude School, Huntington Beach, CA.

After a hiatus during the Pandemic, it was wonderful to be back doing an author visit in Huntington Beach for the Authors and Schools Festival (sponsored by FOTCL--Friends of the Children's Library.) On Tuesday, May 23^rd, I had an excellent visit with students at Saints Simon and Jude School in Huntington Beach. I gave two presentations, one to pre-K through Grade 3, and another to students in grades 4 and 5 and I was pleased with the excellent response by both students and teachers. And I loved the colorful welcome poster made by a group of artistic 5^th grade students. Many thanks to librarian Petra Garcia for selecting me for her school, doing an excellent job of preparing the students, organizing the day, managing the book orders, and for a delicious lunch. Some of my older books were on the shelf in the library already, from a visit I made to the school in 2011. It was fun to return to Sts. Simon and Jude and share my new books. 

I have been participating in the Huntington Beach Authors Festival for many years. (In the past it was held in January and included a reception at the Public Library. This year there was no reception.)  Many thanks to Larry Hersh, a volunteer with FOTCL, for coordinating the Authors Festival. The festival would not be possible without devoted volunteers like Larry in the community. 

Book mark given to me by a student at Sts. Simon and Jude School