Greetings, and welcome, Welcome Writing Workshops for Children Books for Thoughful Children Telling Voices

“The Great Literary Ant” ASSEMBLY - Kindergarten through 6th Grade A program that affirms students as writers, shows them what it’s like to be a writer, introduces them to a tiny fictional author, encourages them to believe in the power of their own imagination, and inspires them to write. I begin by asking students about their own writing, making a connection between myself as a working author and them as young writers. I try to demystify the writing process. Then I tell two of my stories, showing the illustrations on slides. I explain why I wrote them, how they came out of my own experience, and I encourage the students to look to their own experiences for story ideas. I tell the students about publishing, briefly explaining editing, design, and printing and talking about putting the books out into stores, schools, and libraries. I open the session for questions. I do this even with a gym full of students. The questions are always intelligent and thoughtful and well worth the time. Then I invite the kids to use their imaginations. I point out that each imagination is different, that it is the unique ideas they have that no one else has that will make them the best writers they can be. Then we make up three characters together. This is a stimulating, free-association process. Almost every hand is up as I call on student after student to supply details. When I finally end the brainstorming, there is always a sigh of disappointment because the kids are so full of ideas. I encourage them to take their ideas and go back to their classroom or go home that evening and write a story, using the characters we created or the ideas they did not get a chance to share. Teachers tell me that their students often come out of the assembly spoiling to write. I close with a third story, from a book I published but did not write. This is an old playground tale by Illinois storyteller Jim May. I explain why I chose to publish this story and then I tell it. It’s a playful ghost story with repetition, humor, and a surprise ending that never fail to elicit laughter and send the kids back to the classroom repeating memorable phrases. 45-50 minutes Interactive K-6 Any size group Adapted to grade level This assembly is used to begin all other workshops and residencies. Fee: $450/one program, $575/two programs Autographed books are available on the day of the assembly or for order either before or after.