A Mime in Times Square

When I go to visit elementary schools, the students really love to play rhythm instruments along with the refrain in this book. Because there's a refrain, even reluctant readers, active learners, or very small children can join in by being the "echo." Kids can stomp, clap, and snap to the beat. They become active participants in the story, which can boost reading skills.

Hello picture book writers! I wanted to invite you to register for my picture book class in the June 2010 Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Conference. This is an exciting opportunity for me, because nine years ago I came to this very conference as an unpublished writer--a housewife with a writing hobby. I had a dream of getting published but didn't know what to do about it. Because of the things I learned there and the connections I made, I have since sold manuscrips to Putnam, HarperCollins, Scholastic, and Albert Whitman. Now returning this year as a faculty member, I'm eager to pass along what I know. And let me assure you -- the conference is fabulous. You'll be blown away. It's not an exaggeration to say it changed my life. It was worth every penny I spent. So I invite you... register for my class and I'll do everything I possibly can to help you get closer to publication. If you're serious about your writing goals, or even if you just crave a wee...

Creating enthusiasm for reading is one of the greatest things a school can do for its students. Well-planned Literacy Nights, where parents attend with their children, can boost that enthusiasm enormously. As a picture book author, I’ve had the opportunity to attend numerous literacy events at elementary schools. Some were a raging success, and others fizzled. I’ve paid close attention to what I feel worked and what didn’t. Without naming any particular schools, I thought I’d share my observations. Ideas that Worked : 1. Cheap Dinner : Serve a free dinner at the school to start off the night – such as hotdogs and chips. The most recent literacy night I attended offered this cheap hotdog dinner on a first come, first-served basis. The response was overwhelming, and the school was packed. Food, especially food based on a literacy theme (see themes below) will draw more people to the event. 2. Attendance Prizes: Prior to the evening, announce that there will be prizes awarded f...

Last Thursday night I had the opportunity to be the guest author for Jordan Ridge Elementary's Literacy Night . Jordan Ridge was one of 32 schools in the nation to be selected to receive a literacy grant from the National Council of PTA. So after my presentation, I was signing some books when a group of distinguished, wonderful women came my way. I was able to meet representatives from the National PTA!! They were absolutely delightful, energetic, funny, and fun. We posed for some pictures together at the signing table! I was so honored. I was also lucky to speak with members of the Utah Board of Education, who came to attend the event. There was an article about this in the Salt Lake Tribune. Thanks to Jordan Ridge Elementary for inviting me to be part of this fabulous night! And a BIG congratulations to you all!

My agent just informed me that Albert Whitman & Company has made an offer on my manuscript, THE REALLY GROOVY STORY OF THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE. We accepted it. This was a manuscript I had mentally "shelved" and had almost entirely wiped from my mind. How exciting that I'll get to see it in print! I've heard that Albert Whitman is a fabulous publishing house to work with and that they tend to keep their books in print for a long time. GROOOOOOVY! I'm going to have a busy year. I've got a number of school visits set-up each month. I'll also be presenting at the UVU Forum on Children's Literature in March, and am on the faculty of the Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Workshop which will be held at the Waterford School this year in Sandy, Utah. This is very exciting for me, considering the fact that I came to that workshop in 2001 as an unpublished writer. Because of the advice I received and the connections I made, I was able to...

Lee's a middle-kid who finally expresses his frustration (for him, it's with a guitar and blues riff) in a big way. Now it's your turn. Middle kids near and far, come stand on your soap box. What's the worst thing about being a middle child, and how did you survive? Or...what do you notice about your middle child/ren that is interesting? Watch The Middle-Child Blues trailer! Click here.