I grew up down the street from St. Gregory’s School in Loudonville, and drove past it at least a couple times a week. I always wondered what it looked like inside. Yesterday, thirty years later, I finally got the chance. Biggest surprise? It’s full of pirates in neckties and matching trousers. Who would have guessed?

I had a blast with the kids at St. Gregory’s. We read some books and talked about writing and illustrating. In the afternoon I did a writing project with the fourth grade, and their stories were hilarious and very, very clever. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a group of boys get so intensely lost in a writing project. It was a joy to behold.

Special thanks to Terri Braaten for all her work putting the visit together!