AUTHOR VISIT AT ANDERSON SCHOOL, GARDEN GROVE, CA

Anderson Elementary School, Garden Grove, CA, wall mural.

Last week I had an enjoyable author visit at Anderson Elementary School in Garden Grove, California (Westminster School District). I had a full day, speaking to two groups of kindergarten children in their classrooms and to grades one through six in the multipurpose room. With the younger children I did an interactive presentation in which they participated in a Lion Hunt (similar to a Bear Hunt) and helped sing the Wiggle and Waggle song. With the older children I used PowerPoint slides to talk about my books and being an author. I am grateful to the teachers who helped me navigate the technology of the screen for my slide show--every school seems to have a different system!

With my PowerPoint Presentation in the MPR

I thank teacher Denise Greene who organized the day and wrote the grant that supported my visit and funds for the purchase of my books for the school library. And I also thank Principal Kimberly Breckenridge for guiding me around the campus and for introducing me. I also thank Denise for providing my lunch--a delicious sandwich from Jersey Mikes. 

THANK YOU LETTERS FROM ESPERANZA SCHOOL

Illustration on letter from student at Esperanza School, Los Angeles, CA.

I am always delighted to receive thank you letters from students after I do an author visit at their school. In March I visited Mrs. Williams class at Esperanza School in Los Angeles, sharing my books with the students and getting a tour of the natural habitat school garden. (See my post March 24, 2025.) Each of the students had the opportunity to choose one of my books to be purchased for them by the school. Afterward, the students wrote letters to me and illustrated them with their favorite books. I just received them along with a lovely note from Mrs. Williams. One student wrote: "I was amazed that you said that you wrote about 100 books." Another wrote: "I wish I can be an author like you one day."  I especially love the letter from Emma, who told me about how she learned to make dragon puppets until she became a “pro puppeteer.” She ended her letter with this: “I have some advice. Never give up, keep going, never stop your dream! And my favorite book is A Day and Night on the Prairie because there are many animals that I like.” Her illustration is at the top of this post.

Letters from students at Esperanza School

It is letters like these that make me glad I am an author.

AUTHOR VISIT AT CIRCLE VIEW ELEMENTARY, Huntington Beach, California

Library, Circle View Elementary School, Huntington Beach, CA.

Thursday April 24 was my annual visit to Huntington Beach, California for the Author Festival. I have been participating in the Huntington Beach Author Festival almost every year since it started in 1989. I have been doing it so long that I have visited some of the schools twice! This year was a return to Circle View Elementary, which I visited previously in 2018.

A parking place had been reserved for me.

I spoke to two groups of enthusiastic students--fourth and fifth graders. I thank teacher Kelly Wegman for coordinating my visit and Danielle for helping with the tech details. 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.

Ready for my presentation.

This event would not go on year after year except for the hard work and dedication of Larry Hersh and other volunteers of FOTCL (Friend of the Children’s Library) who have led the festival for many years and kept it alive after a pause during the pandemic. Thank you! I always enjoy the chance to share my books with new readers, to see old friends, and to make new ones. 

AUTHOR VISIT to Raise Money for Los Angeles Wildfire Relief

Update: Bidding has been extended to Tues Jan 28 8pm PST/11pm EST.

You can help! The children’s book community is rallying to help victims of the recent terrible fires in Los Angeles by holding an online auction. From in-person and online author visits, books and children’s book art, to critiques from editors and agents and more, there are more than 300 items to bid on.  I am offering a full day in person author visit to an elementary school anywhere in Los Angeles County. Money raised will go to the LA Fire Department Foundation, LA Regional Food Bank, California Community Foundation, and the Animal Wellness Foundation. From my page, click on the little square with the house for more information about KidLit for Los Angeles.

With many thanks to the following for organizing this fundraiser: 

Caroline L. Perry 

Charlotte Offsay 

Tara Luebbe 

Jocelyn Rish

Original art and logo design by Sydney Hanson 

AUTHOR VISIT AT JEFFERSON SCHOOL, Glendale, CA

Thomas Jefferson Elementary, an award winning school, Glendale, CA.

On Monday, Nov 18th, I had a good day at Jefferson Elementary School in Glendale, California. The day was sponsored by the Glendale Assistance League, who not only brought in the authors for the day and gave each teacher a copy of one of our books, but also gave a generous check to the school for the purchase of books for the library. I was one of six authors visiting classrooms--Larissa Theule, Tao Nyeu, Benson Shum, Joe Cepeda and Tracy Holczer were the others. I gave presentations to first and second grade students.

I was pleased by the good response to my presentation by the students and teachers. They especially liked my new book My Friend From Outer Space, enthusiastically helping to count down from 10 before shouting, BLAST OFF!

Special thanks go to Linelle Vicenti and Kathy Blyth for coordinating everything and making sure the day ran smoothly! I also thank all the Glendale Assistance League volunteers who helped--introducing me in the classrooms, helping out with the book signing, and bringing the delicious snacks and lunch. Many thanks to the Glendale Assistance League for another successful Authors and Illustrators Day! 

Entrance to Jefferson School on Authors and Illustrators Day, with the Assistance League banner.

 

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

AUTHOR VISIT AT THE WPC PRESCHOOL, Los Angeles, CA

Earlier this week I had a wonderful visit with the children and teachers of the WPC Preschool in Los Angeles, my first since the pandemic. (Before that I had been making a visit every year--an annual event suspended during Covid.) It was great to be back and to have the opportunity to share both my new books and favorites from the past. 

I met first with the younger children, sharing Planting a Garden in Room 6, Wiggle and Waggle, Noisy Time for Zoo Animals and my folding book, Who Has More? Who Has Fewer?. They enjoyed my Wiggle and Waggle puppets, helping to make the sounds of the zoo animals, and counting the eggs and chicks in the folding book.

I then met with the older children sharing Wiggle and Waggle again, A Zebra's World, several of my bird books, Keeper of the Light, and finally reading The Terrible Hodag and the Animal Catchers, a tall tale. We sang the Wiggle and Waggle song, went on a lion hunt, rang my small bell as I showed them the illustrations of the giant fog bell at the lighthouse. We also measured wingspans and learned about the Hodag, a giant creature with the "head of an ox, feet of a bear, back of a dinosaur, and tail of an alligator."

Many of my books are in the preschool library and I was glad to see them being used in the classrooms. It was a fun morning. Many thanks to the teachers, to the preschool director Bri, and to Heidi in the office for making it another successful visit.

VIRTUAL AUTHOR VISIT at Verdugo Woodland School, Glendale, CA

When Mammoths Walked the Earth, Japanese and English editions

Last Tuesday I had a terrific virtual visit with the first and second graders at Verdugo Woodland School in Glendale, California, including two classes in their Japanese dual language program. I shared my book WHEN MAMMOTHS WALKED THE EARTH, which has been translated into Japanese, and my mammoth tooth--an exact copy of a real fossil tooth. 

Like elephants, mammoths had very large teeth, all of them molars and ideal for chewing the leaves, grass and other plant foods that they ate. 

 

 

We talked about birds and feathers and spread out our arms to measure our wingspans. I also read my book A ZEBRA'S WORLD and demonstrated how I make the cut paper art illustrations. At the end, the students had the chance to ask me questions. 

A Guide Dog Puppy, English and Japanese editions

Many thanks to the Assistance League of Glendale for sponsoring my visit.

LETTERS FROM STUDENTS: Author Visit Follow-Up

I love to do author visits and to feel the excitement that surrounds my appearance at a school. But the real value for the students is in the preparation and follow-up. I love to get letters and thank-you notes from students and teachers after my visit. They tell me what the students remember and what most impacted them about my program.
A few months ago I was pleased to receive a packet of thank-you notes from Mrs. Ritter’s kindergarten class at Jacoby Creek School in Arcata, which I visited in October during the Humboldt County Authors Festival. In the picture above you can see me (without any hair!) and the table with my book display. I love the drawing of the tiny butterfly in the book in my hand!

Note: One of the casualties of the coronavirus pandemic is the suspension of school and cancellation of author visits. I don't expect to do any on site author visits in the near future, although perhaps when school reopens there will be the possibility of Skype or Zoom visits. Time will tell.

THANK YOU CARDS from Nevada Avenue School

Cards from 2nd Grade students at Nevada Avenue School

I love receiving cards and letters from students after I do an author visit at their school. These wonderful thank you cards came from the second graders in Room 5 at Nevada Avenue Elementary School in Canoga Park, California, after my recent visit. I love that each student chose something different to illustrate. Projects such as these help to reinforce the value of an author visit.

AUTHOR VISIT at NEVADA AVENUE SCHOOL for Read Across America Week

On Monday I spent a full and exciting day at Nevada Avenue School in Canoga Park, California, helping to launch a week celebrating reading. As I arrived, I found my parking place, marked by a beautiful sign made by my host, librarian extraordinaire, Najma Hussain, who did a terrific job preparing the students and organizing my day.

Welcome poster in the school hallway

At the start of the school day the students assembled on the playground and recited the pledge to reading in honor of Read Across America week. Then I was introduced and said a few words. After that my day began with three assemblies in the auditorium.

The room was decorated with wonderful artwork made by the students. Each class had focused on a theme inspired by one of my books. Most had chosen to learn about one of the habitats from my Day and Night series.

There were pictures of rain forest toucans and jaguars, bison on the prairie, forest animals peeking through the trees, lions in Africa, polar bears in the arctic and much more.

Butterflies made by ETK students

Several of the younger TK classes learned about butterflies, and one class, Room 10, had real caterpillars and butterflies in their classroom. During a break I made a special visit to see them. (The students told me that they wanted me to rename my book "Butterflies in Room 10"!)

With ETK teacher, Room 10

After the assemblies I spent the rest of the day visiting classrooms, where the students had the chance to ask questions and get a close-up look at my butterfly materials and my fossil mammoth tooth.

Najma Hussain, librarian at Nevada Avenue School

I thank Najma Hussain for making this a special day for me–for organizing the schedule, for providing a big selection of my books in the library, for arranging time for me to chat with teachers and Principal Tanya Nott, and for delicious snacks and lunch to keep me going through the day. My visit was made possible by funds raised from the school book fair, organized by Najma. Nevada Avenue School is lucky to have such a devoted and enthusiastic librarian!

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.

GLENDALE ASSISTANCE LEAGUE, Author Visit to Monte Vista Elementary, Glendale, CA

Signing books at Monte Vista Elementary School, Glendale, CA

On Monday, a week ago, I was one of five authors visiting classrooms at Monte Vista Elementary School in Glendale, California. The day was sponsored and organized by the wonderful hard working volunteers of the Glendale Assistance League, a service organization that arranges four such events in the Glendale schools every year. My fellow authors at Monte Vista were Carter Higgins, Tim Egan, Vincent X. Kirsch, and Julie Berry, each of us assigned to a different grades. It is so nice for the authors to have the support of all the volunteers--from guiding us to the classrooms, doing introductions, providing us with a delicious lunch and organizing the book sale after school.
I spoke to students in first and second grade, going to four classrooms during the day. I was pleased that the children in the classrooms I visited were so responsive. They were excited to hear about my new book Butterflies in Room 6 and were amazed to see how tiny the butterfly eggs are. I also read part of my book Wiggle and Waggle and we all sang the Wiggle and Waggle song together. I also shared my book A Day and Night in the Rain Forest and demonstrated how I create my cut paper art illustrations. At the end of the day I joined all of the authors in the auditorium for the book sale and signing.

Monte Vista has received the Gold Ribbon School award

I thank all the members of the Glendale Assistance League that make this program possible for the children of Glendale. I especially thank Karen Saunders for inviting me to be part of the visit to Monte Vista and Linelle Vincenti for organizing the schedule of the day, and Maureen Palacios of Once Upon a Time bookstore for providing the books for the book sale.

Monte Vista Elementary School

I do many author days, but usually speak to large groups of children. It was a treat to be in the classroom with smaller groups and have the opportunity for a more personal interaction with the children. Not only does the Assistance League provide the children of Glendale with the opportunity to meet authors and illustrators, but it also gives funds to the schools to purchase books for the library and classrooms. Thank you Glendale Assistance League for a wonderful Authors and Illustrators Day and for your support of books and reading in the Glendale community. I know it takes a lot of preparation! The schools of Glendale are very lucky to have you!

AUTHOR VISIT and DINOMITE BOOK FAIR at Wood Ranch Elementary, Simi Valley, CA

Every year the PTA at Wood Ranch Elementary school in Simi Valley, California, invites an author to present at the school in conjunction with the book fair held in early April. This year I was that author. I gave presentations in the MPR to three groups of students–4th and 5th graders, 2nd and 3rd graders, and lastly, the K-1 students. Everyone was enthusiastic and I was impressed by the excellent questions.
After being treated to a tasty lunch by the PTA, I stayed after school so that I could talk with parents and students at the book fair and autograph books. The book fair, operated by Scholastic, had ordered two of my books, Hatching Chicks in Room 6 and Living Fossils.

I enjoyed my day at Wood Ranch and thank the PTA for sponsoring my visit, especially book fair chair Ilse Blanda and all the other hard working committee members and volunteers, for  making sure that everything ran smoothly. I also thank Principal Kate Snowden, for helping with the technical set-up, and Kim Holden, the office manager, for coordinating the arrangements and setting up the schedule.

HUNTINGTON BEACH AUTHORS FESTIVAL, Visit to Hawes School

Welcome Sign on the Hawes School Marquee

Once again I was pleased to participate in the Huntington Beach Authors Festival, which was held on Tuesday, January 31st in Huntington Beach, California. This was its 29th year and I have been part of the festival almost every year since it began.  In the morning I did an author visit at Hawes Elementary School where I gave four presentations to children in grades two through four. Librarian Jennifer Mulvania did a great job of organizing the day and preparing the students. She had read my book Wiggle and Waggle to every class so I got out my worm puppets and we had fun singing the Wiggle and Waggle song together.

At the Huntington Beach Library for the Afternoon Reception

And, as always, I enjoyed the afternoon reception at the Huntington Beach Library where I had the chance to sell my books and to meet children, parents and teachers from all the schools in Huntington Beach and to chat with the other authors. Many of the children who came were the winners of the writing and illustrating contest. I thank everyone on the Friends of the Library (FOTL) Festival Committee, especially Gail Page, Co-Chair, for all the hard work in preparing for and assisting at the Festival. It is wonderful to see this community event grow and get better over the years! Thank you!

AUTHOR-GO-ROUND, Santa Barbara: A Fun Week with Students, Teachers, Librarians

Reading The Terrible Hodag and the Animal Catchers at my Author-Go-Round Station

A week ago I was one of four authors participating in the annual week long Author-Go-Round in Santa Barbara put on by the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO). This was the 47th year! It was more than thirty years since I last participated and it was just as much fun as I remembered.

Authors Lee Wardlaw, Eugene Yelchin, Kristen Kittscher and Me at the SBCEO Author-Go-Round

Each day about 125 students came to the Santa Barbara County Education Office on Cathedral Oaks Road and assembled in a large auditorium. After registering, the students did short writing activities and collected autographs from the authors in the booklets they had received. Each author had a special autograph page in the booklet as well as a page with “cool facts” and a list of recent books.

Writing Activity: One student's Mixed-Up Animal, inspired by my book The Terrible Hodag and the Animal Catchers

There were four authors–Lee Wardlaw, Eugene Yelchin, Kristen Kittscher, and me-- and we each had our own corner to set up our "station". (I was the yellow station, decorated with yellow balloons and a yellow carousel horse.) The students then heard each of us make a short (15 min) presentation. After that they rotated around the room in smaller groups, spending 15 minutes at each station asking questions and interacting with the authors. Almost every group wanted to know what was my favorite animal and my favorite book. (I like them all!) At the end, students received prizes for the best writing activity. One activity was to create a mixed-up animal like the Hodag in my book The Terrible Hodag and the Animal Catchers.

With our cut-out heads made by Fred Borchers

The students who attended were from all over Santa Barbara County. A limited number came from each school and in many cases they had competed to be selected. The kids were in grades 4-8.
Every year the planning committee at SBCEO works really hard to put the Author-Go-Round together and make sure that everything runs smoothly. I thank Matt Zuchowicz, Director of Educational Technology Services, Scott Spector, Coordinator of Innovation and Academic Events, and the Educational Technology Services staff, Fred Borchers, Doris Buchanan, Rose Koller, Homer Morro, and Kristen Walker for doing a fantastic job. For the students and teachers who come, it is a highlight of the year. For authors like me, it is an ideal opportunity to interact with the students, teachers and librarians who are reading my books at home and at school. THANK YOU!

With our souvenir T-Shirts!

Author Visit, the Meredith School, Philadelphia, PA

Last week I had a wonderful visit with Jennifer Jutzi’s 1/2 class at the Meredith School, a public school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I shared my recent books, we talked about birds and measured the students’ wingspans, watched my slides, and finished by reading The Terrible Hodag and the Animal Catchers. The children had read several of my books before my visit and I was impressed by their knowledge and good questions. I thank Jennifer Jutzi for allowing me to visit her class, and my good friend Esther Baker Tarpaga for helping to arrange the visit. Esther’s daughter Windega is a student in the class and was eager to show me the newly hatched chicks which were hopping around in their brood box. By this time next year the students will be able to read my new book coming out in 2017, Hatching Chicks in Room 6.

Author Visit, Sunrise Drive Elementary School, Tucson, AZ

Sunrise Elementary School, Tucson, Arizona

A week ago I had an excellent author visit at Sunrise Drive Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona. I spoke to four groups of children from kindergarten through fifth grade and was pleased with the enthusiastic response to my presentation and the good questions at the end. At my last presentation of the day the students shared some wonderful art created after reading the books in my Day and Night series. 

Collared Lizard, from A Day and Night in the Desert

During one of my breaks I had a chance to tour the school and visit the huge school garden–perfect for Wiggle and Waggle!-- and to see some of the permanent art work decorating the walls of the building. Each graduating fifth grade class creates a legacy work as a permanent record of their years at the school. One of my favorites was a mural made of ceramic tiles depicting birds of the desert. During my program I measured the wingspans of the students as I always do, and, as always, everyone is amazed that it takes two students to be the wingspan of a bald eagle or two and a half to be a California condor. One place to see condors in the wild is in Arizona, in the Grand Canyon, where they have been introduced and have been successfully reproducing.

Ceramic Mural, Birds of the Desert

I thank Monica del Rincon for arranging my visit to Sunrise and Principal Andrea Davidson for introducing me at each of my programs and spending the day with me. And I especially thank the FFO of Sunrise for sponsoring my visit. I also thank the author visit coordinator of the Tucson Festival of Books, Cheryl Schrader-Gerken, for helping me make my connection with Sunrise. It was a very successful day!