I love visiting schools and sharing my experience as an author and an illustrator. Recently I shared the the experience of writng and illustrating my book Just Call Me Charlie. Most kids are surprised at how much work goes into creating a book. I enjoy showing them my early drafts and rough sketches of possible illustrations for my book. Even very young children benefit from the opportunity to meet with an author and learn some basics about writing and illustrating.

 When I finish my presentation I often hear that students are willing to consider their writing might be improved by working on a second draft or even a third one.  I leave the teacher with a visual writing prompt, which you can find at the bottom of this page. The sketch shows a scene in which the children are to decide if it occurs at the beginning, the middle or the end of a story. They write what they feel  is happening.  

         Second graders enjoy lunch with the author.

I had a very busy day at McClelland Elementary School, Rochester NH. It was fun going back to a school I taught at almost ten years ago. Some of the high school seniors who saw the sign at the elementary school came over to say hello. They sure have grown since first grade.

Another school I visited in New Hampshire was Center School in Northwood. These young students enjoyed listening to the story, looking at my art work and eating a cupcake frog.

Thank You
from Center School