Blog

Giveaway to Start the New Year

Attention jazz fans, lovers of insects and, specifically, musical flies who buzz around in tuxedos. Happy New Year! A hope you’ve had a groovin’ winter break. Start your 2014 in rhythm with this offer from Rafflecopter. A copy of Jazz Fly and Jazz Fly 2 (signed by

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Stockton’s Family Day in the Park a Huge Literacy Success

This interview (not pic) of yours truly just ran in the Stockton Record newspaper: http://lnkd.in/bpeW239 . Hats off to Carrie Sass and all the organizers of Stockton’s Family Day in the Park. Each September, this event highlighting literacy and family education attracts 20,000 plus people. It features

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Kindergarten V.I.P.s Galore at Saratoga Library

This past Wednesday, on September 25th, I had the pleasure of performing at a special evening event for young families at the Saratoga Public Library in Silicon Valley. Billed as “Kindergarten V.I.P.,” it began at 7:00, relatively late, to allow busy parents to first come home from

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creativity, writing verse and writing content

I can’t believe it’s already September! Summer has been a time for creativity, writing verse, writing content for a new video series, and for close collaboration with the illustrator Karen Hanke. Having completed the charming drawings of the African animals in “Imagination Nation,” Karen now is now

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Total Illiteracy

I just got an email from my niece who works with troubled youth in Pennsylvania. She described trying to help 13 and 14 year olds who are “totally illiterate.” My only challenge in responding was limiting my list of immediate suggestions! Here are my first ideas to

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Fun Stop at Cal State Fullerton

Fun stop at Cal State Fullerton’s Pollak Library for a presentation to bright-eyed college students and teachers to be. More proof positive that EVERYBODY gets swept up in stories when given the chance. Here’s the scoop in the school newspaper: http://www.dailytitan.com/2013/03/childrens-author-visits/

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Thank you, Mariposa Elementary School!

Just back from the wilds of Redlands, CA where the students and staff of Mariposa Elementary School serenaded me with a welcome I’ll never forget. Before my morning assemblies, all the 3rd grade students took the stage and performed for their parents and for me (such creativity!)

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Agent or Publisher: Which Comes First?

Like many creative souls, Laura Presno has a dream. This 3rd grade teacher at Terry School in Selma, CA, has written a sci-fi novel for kids. Over a staff lunch in the teachers’ lounge (a welcome break for me after 3 assemblies), she posed questions about publishing

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