Back to Farnsworth Middle School to do another series of presentations with Larry Tuxbury about Benjamin Franklinstein. Larry’s a language arts teacher at Farnsworth, and we’ve been working together on writing the book for the past couple years. It’s finally just about complete (due this September from Putnam) and we were able to share the whole process of writing and illustrating with the students.
In spite of the fact that we presented on the three days before Christmas vacation, everything went great. The kids had terrific questions, and Larry was on his best behavior. To top it all off, they fed us the most amazing sandwiches for lunch. A grand way to end 2009!
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People ask me all the time where I get the ideas for my books, and I don’t have a good answer. A good idea isn’t something that can be conjured up at a moment’s notice. It has to be stumbled upon.
Here’s an example: Last week I woke up in my hotel in Corning, NY, half asleep, one eye pinned shut by the pillow, and noticed this unusual knob on middle of the wall. It was old, no doubt left over from a previous incarnation of the hotel, and it was labeled the McQuay Seasonmaker. What a beautiful name! And what possibilities it suggested!
Needless to say, I didn’t turn the knob, or you, and the entire east coast, would have noticed. But what if I had?
Now there’s a good idea for a story.
I was in Corning to visit two schools, H. Gregg Elementary and Kent Phillips Elementary. It was a great trip, and my two hosts, Mrs. Robarge and Mrs. Wukovitz, took terrific care of me while I was there. The kids were amazing, well-prepared and full of good questions, and the walls of the school were lined with really fun artwork. There were digital paintings, a line of pinch-pots each containing precisely thirteen miniature beans, and drawings and paintings inspired by Andy Warhol and Wayne Thiebaud.
It was an absolute treat from beginning to end, and I thank everyone, especially Mrs. Robarge and Mrs. Wukovitz, for all the hard work they put in to make it happen.
Continue reading →One of the fun things about this author job is that sometimes I get to try out other jobs. Today, I went to the recording studio to record some audio for the upcoming Lion’s Share DVD.
The studio had pictures of Janis Joplin, Frank Zappa, and Duke Ellington on the walls. Technically, these musicians never actually recorded there, but the idea is that they could have, if they had been in town and the studio had been around when they were alive. So there were lots of good vibes in the room.
The engineer, Jason, was really cool and patient with all my stupid questions. For some reason, though, he didn’t ask me for a photo for the wall, even though there was a big empty spot right next to Jimi Hendrix. I’m sure it was just an oversight. I’ll send him one.
Continue reading →I’ll be giving two free talks at libraries in the upstate New York area this month. If you’re free, swing by and say hello!
Aug 13, 2pm
The Canajoharie Library
2 Erie Blvd. , Canajoharie NY
Aug 18, 7pm
The Easton Library
1074 State Route 40, Greenwich, NY
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Blodgett Elementary is certainly one of the smaller schools I’ve visited in a while. It’s a new school, formed in a hurry when a large charter school in Schenectady closed recently. As a consequence, everyone at the school is brand new, and it doesn’t even show up on my GPS.
I found it anyway (although the big cross on the side of the building, left over from its days as a parochial school, threw me for a moment). I’m glad I did. They’re clearly having a lot of fun at Blodgett. For example, check out this cool Uncle Frank’s Pit construction built around Frank, the custodian’s room.
Blodgett was filled with great artwork and writing projects, all capped off with something I have never, ever seen or heard before: A live performance of a Backbeard rap by members of the sixth grade class. Click the link below to check it out.
Backbeard Owns The ‘Hood
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Here’s something I didn’t know: In Texas, schoolkids say the pledge to both the U.S. and the Texas flag, one of only six states to do so. (It’s an urban legend that Texas is the only state that can fly its flag at the same height as the U.S. flag, though. They all can, if they follow the rules.)
I spent the week visiting schools in Allen Texas, and it was great fun. Read on for just a few of the highlights…
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After my presentations at Weedsport Elementary this week, I was presented with a homemade, three-page map of the school and three loyal guides to help me visit all the classrooms. Good thing they were there. Otherwise, I might still be wandering the halls, trying to find my way home.
Along the way we found no shortage of crazy bugs, treasure maps, and even a life-sized skeleton guarding a map of pirate jokes. (Sample: What did the pirate say at the golf course? “I may tee!”)
Next, I visited the Weedsport Free Library, where the Junior Friends of the Library were hosting a special author’s dinner. There was even some impromptu theatre after the meals, when everyone began singing a crazy musical about hats. Great fun.
Finally, some samples of that terrific Weedsport art. Thanks, everyone!
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Had a really enjoyable visit to Menands Elementary last week. We did four presentations back to back, but I was having so much fun they just flew by. For lunch, some of the teachers put together this awesome Lion’s Share book cake.
However, when they served me my piece, this was what I got. I found myself simultaneously flattered and creeped out. What to do? Eat my own head? I felt like I was in an Escher drawing, or maybe one of those serpents that eats its own tail.
In the end, I decided to pass the problem on to my wife. But by the time I got the piece home, much of my face had melted off the side, making me look extra creepy. Didn’t matter. Free cake! She devoured my head without a second thought. Now I’m sleeping with one eye open.
Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, Menands Elementary! Awesome school, with tons of awesome artwork. My thanks to all the parents who came out to the evening program, and all the teachers and volunteers who put the day together.
Here are a few samples of some life-sized pirates by the artists at Menands:
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Just found out that The Lion’s Share has been nominated for the 2010 Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award given by the Kansas Reading Association. Thanks, Kansas!
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So often author visits on the last day before vacation can be a chore, but not Westmere Elementary. It was the perfect combination of a cozy library and kids who were engaged and enthusiastic. The only odd part – and I really hate to even bring this up – were their strange, round, paper plate-like faces. But they seemed happy. What a great visit.
I had a funny experience between presentations. I was sitting in the back of the library signing books, and when I looked up I noticed these two sitting side by side on the shelf. Maybe I’m just oversaturated with news about the recession, but these titles seem to encapsulate the current economic conditions pretty well. I had to laugh.
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