Author Visits

Children’s books have always been part of my life. The author of 114 books, I wrote my first book when I was eleven. When I started teaching elementary school in 1977 (K,1,5,6) I was teaching my young students to write, so I wrote for them and they wrote for me.

Now I teach writing at elementary schools as a visiting author. I talk to the students about how a book is made and I guide them as they write. I focus on the six traits of writing because that’s how I have written for years.

I offer four types of author visit programs:

1. Virtual visits take place in the cyberspace. I visit book clubs or a class (in the classroom or the library) via webcam.

2. Large group assemblies usually take place in the library. Now that I offer 6 sessions a day I am able to meet with one grade at a time. I share my books, talk about the six traits of writing, and answer student questions.

3. Classroom writing workshops take place in the classroom. I write with one class at a time (30 students maximum). My specialty is helping students overcome writer’s block!

4. Public library programs take place in the public library. For children I explain How A Book Is Made. I help adults answer the question, Is There a Book Inside You?