Nov 17

Today I finished my Klein ISD tour at Lemm Elementary–home of the Lions!

I gave four presentations to four very spirited audiences. Each one was chocked full of young writers and future screenwriters!

I even enjoyed a brief writer’s summit with seven 5th graders who had some amazing questions–some I’d never received before! Great to meet you: Adalynn, Camilla, Chloe, Lily, Mason, Nicholas, and Rylan!

I signed a few books during my last stop. I hope you enjoy reading them, Raylon, Rose, Talon, and Teddy!

Thanks to Mrs. Eikenberg for having me out, for the nice lunch, the chocolates, and for the young milkweed from the school’s garden. It’s already planted on our ranch and will hopefully feed future migrating Monarch butterflies.

But the biggest thanks goes to all the Lemm Lions! Keep reading! Keep writing! And remember those four words!

Nov 14

A new hat, a new crazy shirt, and a new exciting day at Metzler Elementary!

Today I finally got to meet the 1st, 4th, and 5th grade Huskies!

I met many young writers and future screenwriters, all of whom had great questions–especially the 5th graders!

I even signed more books. Fantastic to meet you: Albert, Bennett, Colton, Hope, Jessica, and Rose Marie!

Thanks to all the Huskies for another great day! Thanks again to the Metzler PTO for having me out and for another nice lunch. Another huge thanks to Mrs. Sonnier for the use of her library and for coordinating my visit to Klein ISD. And my sincerest apologies to Mrs. Perregrino for having so much fun during our last barrage of silly animal sounds that she nearly choked! Great! NOW I’ll have to make people sign a release before the next performance!

Nov 13

Today I returned to Metzler Elementary — home of the Huskies! The last time I visited Metzler was in 2015, and I’m happy to report the current pack of Huskies are just as lively as the last!

This was just day one of a two-day visit, where I met with PreK, Kinder, 2nd, and 3rd grades.

It was great to see that Metzler had just as many young writers as the last time I was here! I even had the pleasure of signing books for Ariana, Ellie, and Kia!

Thanks to Mrs. Sonnier and the Metzler PTO for having me out. Thanks to PTO president Mrs. Weirmar for the nice lunch. And thanks to the first half of Huskies for the fun day. I can’t wait to meet the rest of them tomorrow!

But the day wasn’t over! I swung back by Kreinhop to sign a couple of books for Angel and Tate. Great meeting you, guys!

Nov 12

Today was an exciting day at Kreinhop Elementary–home of the Wolfpack!

I presented for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Each class had wonderful questions and were chocked full of young writers and future screenwriters!

We met in Kreinhop’s open concept library, but thanks to Mrs. Bailey’s clever signs in the surrounding hallways, our presentations weren’t disturbed. I can’t say the same for the nearby classrooms since my shows can get a little… loud. Sorry, teachers!

I met Principal Liesburger, several students, and signed their books. I hope you enjoy reading them. And don’t forget to check out the books I signed for the school library!

Thanks to Mrs. Bailey for having me out, for the fun lunch, and the use of the library. And thanks to each and every member of the Wolfpack. I hope you enjoy my books and I look forward to reading some of yours someday!

Nov 11

Day two was a fun return to Mittelstädt Elementary — home of the Patriots! Coincidently, my elementary school mascot was also the Patriot.

I had visited Mittelstädt Elementary in 2018 where I got to meet those group of Patriots and Max, the library rabbit! Thank you, Evelyn for creating the welcome screen, including the photo of Max and me from my last Mittelstädt post!

After two exciting presentations, I signed some books and hung out with some energetic young readers: Ethan, Evelyn, Isabella, Maddox, Sam, Stanley, and Wyatt. They were great fun and had some insightful questions and creative story ideas. They even had the marketing campaign all laid out for my next book!

Thanks to Mrs. Sestak for inviting me. Thanks to Mr. Rivera, Mrs. Banasiak, and Mr. Hanson for the tech support. By the way, I heard great things about Mr. Hanson’s reading of The Book with no Pictures. Thanks to Mrs. Sestak and Mrs. Ledbetter for the delightful lunch. And the biggest thanks of all to the Mittelstädt Patriots. From one Patriot to another, keep reading and keep coming up with those awesome stories!

Nov 10

The first day of my week-long Klein ISD tour began at Ehrhardt Elementary—home of the Eagles!

I enjoyed two exciting sessions in the cafeteria before moving to the spacious Ehrhardt library.

After the last presentation, before signing some books, the 5th graders were kind enough to help record a special birthday greeting for my friend, Matt Smith. I appreciate your help, 5th grade; he loved it!

Thanks to Mrs. Cabezas for inviting me! Thanks to Mrs. Ela for help setting up. And the biggest thanks of all to the Ehrhardt Eagles themselves. Keep reading and keep soaring!

Oct 20

Today I had my first author visit of the school year and my THIRD visit to Centennial Elementary–home of the Comets!

I hadn’t visited Centennial since 2012 and it was great to be back. I got to meet an entire new meteor shower of Comets and even see some familiar faces too!

These new Comets didn’t disappoint. They were extremely polite, had wonderful questions, and made some of the loudest dragon roars I’ve heard in a long time!

Thanks to Mrs. Aggarwal and the Centennial Elementary PTA for inviting me out (and for the tasty lunch from la Madeleine). Thanks to Mrs. McKee for the use of the library and for being such a fine host.

And the biggest thanks of all to the Comets themselves! I hope you enjoy the books I signed, and don’t ever forget the four words!

Nov 4

Today I spent the entire day with the Gifted/Talented students at Mildred Elementary, in Mildred, TX!

After a full presentation, I answered many great questions, and even had the opportunity to have lunch with the students.

After lunch, I gave two writing workshops, answered more thoughtful questions, and signed books for each and every student!

I could tell these students were truly gifted and talented when they took more notes than any other students in previous workshops. And one student even had a story begun before it was all over! I could tell there are going to be some fine writers coming out of this group!

Thanks to Mrs. Thompson and the Texas Retired Teachers Association for having me out. And a big thanks to all the GT kids at Mildred Elementary.

Great to meet you: Andi, Avery, Blake, Brynlee, Camden, Cameron, Case, Ella, Elliette, Harper, Hudson, Jace, Jasper, Jett, Kailee, Levi, McCoy, Mia, Townes, and Troy!

Apr 18

Today I enjoyed the rare opportunity to visit just the Kindergarteners at WonderWell, in Austin, TX!

I had a great time taking over the classroom for an hour, getting to know everyone, throw a fish, sing a silly song, you know…fun stuff like that.

Thanks to Mr. Bear, everyone received one of my Scooby-Doo and Krypto Mysteries. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them!

Thanks to Mr. Bear for having me out. Thanks to Ms. Guild and Mr. Howes for lending me their classroom. And the biggest thanks of all goes to the WonderWell Kindergarteners! It was a pleasure getting to know you: Andrew, David, Evelyn, Matthew, Maxwell, Megan, Noah, Ona, Oscar, Penelope, Pheonix, Poppy, and St John!

Apr 12

Today was an exciting day at Kent Elementary in Carrollton, TX–home of the Kent Cardinals!

Everyone was welcoming, including a great display featuring all my books in the school library! I especially like the comic book action illustrations, courtesy of the art class.

I signed each and every library book between my three action-packed shows. I’m told that they’ll finally be able to check them out after my visit. I hope everyone likes them!

I also discovered that I wasn’t the only author with work in library. Way to go, Nikokai!

Thanks to Mrs. Hodge and the Kent PTA for having me out. And the biggest thanks goes to all the Kent Cardinals for not only being great readers, but also for making some of the best animal noises of the school year! Keep those giraffe sounds going!

« Previous Entries