My Amazing Visit to Cypress Fairbanks Schools in Texas - Week 2

Week 2 started with a bang at Matzke Elementary School, where I spent the day with librarian extraordinaire Karen Womack.

Karen Womack (left) and me

The students wrote wishes (inspired by my book WISH) and put them in the treasure chest:

Next stop: Hemmenway Elementary

I was honored to meet 4th grade teacher and fan Mrs. Marshall.

And 4th grade teacher and fan, Mrs. Parks.

The next day, I was picked up by librarian, Paula Baiamonte, to begin a terrific day at Robinson Elementary. Thank you, Paula, for all of your hard work!

Paula Baiamonte (left) and me

Presenting to students at Robinson

 

Check out this fun-loving group of Name That Book students

The next day librarian Jennifer Buchert picked me up to start our amazing day at Copeland Elementary. Jennifer and I found out pretty quickly that we are soul sisters - so much in common (starting with dogs and ending with a deep love for organization and label makers)

Jennifer Buchert left) and me

I was greeted by this sweet sign made by students.

I adored this poster showing students sharing my books with their dogs.

I had a great lunch with these book-loving fifth graders. We talked books, books, books.

Next up? An amazing dinner with LOTS of Cypress Fairbanks librarians and four other authors. We had great food and lots of laughs. A night to remember.

(l to r) Chris Barton, me, Phil Bildner, Kirby Larson, Jeff Mack

 

A super selfie with (l to r) Chris Barton, me, Jennifer Garstecki Lucas, Phil Bildner, Jeff Mack, Kirby Larson

Next, I was off to Willbern Elementary, where librarian Laura Bissey was such a welcoming hostess and the kids were prepared and enthusiastic.

A darling book display

Me and librarian Laura Bissey

 Next? Off to Ault Elementary:

Me with librarian Wanda Rundell

My last day was amazing. Thank you so much, Swenke Elementary!

Thanks so much for making my visit to Swenke so great, Angie Arnett (right)

I loved this YooHoo boat display made by a third grade teacher. That giant YooHoo boat is filled with thank you notes for me!

 I presented to a library full of enthusiastic third graders. Here are some of them:

Here I am with my new friend and super reader, Chase

The amazing team of 3rd grade teachers. Thank you all for preparing your students for this amazing day.

(l to r) Principal Liz Miller, me, librarian Angie Arnett

Then it was off to the airport to catch my flight back to North Carolina.

 Thank you, Cypress Fairbanks!!!

Y'all know how to host an author!

My Amazing Visit to Cypress Fairbanks Schools in Texas - Week 1

The amazing Jennifer Lucas made these amazing videos (yes, I'm using the word "amazing" a lot). 








Some more of the wishes:

 

Love this greeting from Robison Elementary

The wonderful Jenny Daniell (left)

Check out the cool way that Robison students clapped for me:  

Here are the students at Andre Elementary telling me what their favorite book is (thank you, Shelli Mangum!!):

Yammering away to Hamilton students

Me doing my thing

With the VIP students at Hamilton

With the amazing and wonderful Jennifer Garstecki Lucas (right)

Yoohoo boat builders

Having lunch with the VIPs from Hamilton

Getting ready to dive into s'mores for dessert with (l to r) Kirby Larson, Kelley Book, chef, Jennifer Lucas, me

And a great big shout out to Keith Elementary School and Liz Budnek....we were so busy we got no pics!! Love y'all.

Hey Danielle H

I want to send the arc of Audacity Jones Steals the Show to the first commenter on my previous post - Danielle H - but I have no way to contact. 

Will you email me thru my website?

Audacity Jones Steals the Show

Just finished this beauty.

So much to love.

Audacity Jones Steals the Show by Kirby Larson

Two words: TOTAL PACKAGE

It has mystery and humor and adventure.

It has a cat and an elephant.

It has HOUDINI!!!

So many things to love about the writing.

I love how Kirby speaks to the reader so seamlessly, without pulling us out of the story. In fact, quite the opposite...she lets us in on the fun:

I know, dear reader, it causes you to shudder as it does me.

I love the absolute SEAMLESS incorporation of historical details:

Not a kid-leather boot nor starched pinafore to be seen in either direction.

Audie inhaled deeply of the automobile fumes, the horse dung, the frankfurter carts, the fishy aromas from the Hudson River. "Just smell all that life!" She turned in a complete circle, arms wide, opening herself to the wonders of Manhattan.

I adore the language, sometimes soft and lilting, sometimes just plain old sparkly:

It smelled of hay and apples and something else: The young thing reeked of sorrow.

A murmur wobbled its way through the crowd.

And Kirby has never been one to write down to young readers. She tosses in so many yummy words, like PERFIDY. 

So much to love about this one.

COMING JANUARY 21

AND.....I'll send this ARC along to the first person to tell me in the comments that they would like it. 

Love those North Carolina schools!

Today I got to speak to students from ELEVEN schools in Surry County, North Carolina.

What a great day!

Greetings from Nowhere is on the Battle of the Books list for North Carolina...so these schools were rocking it!!!

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here ya go!

Thank you, Surry County Schools!

The Battle of the Books team at Rockford Elementary (Thank you for that great welcome sign!)

  

Rockford Elementary kids waiting for the presentation

Copeland Battle of the Books team

Dobson Battle of the Books team

Mountain Park Battle of the Books team

Rockford Battle of the Books team

(l to r) Tonya Fletcher, me, Sonia Dickerson. Thank you, ladies, for making this wonderful author visit possible.

Kids filing in to Franklin Elementary

Flat Rock Battle of the Books

White Plains Battle of the Books

Cedar Ridge Battle of the Books

Franklin Battle of the Books team

I didn't have a chance to visit the Andy Griffith Museum, but at least I got to drive on Andy Griffith Parkway

Getting ready to present at Pilot Mountain Elementary

At Pilot Mountain Elementary

Pilot Mountain Battle of the Books team

With Pilot Mountain media specialist Amy Harpe

Whenever I go away, I love coming home and seeing those beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains ahead of me.