On May 11th, I stopped in to Gould Elementary and read Heave Ho! with the Kindergarteners and 2nd Graders. It was an absolute blast, and I can't wait to work with those kids more in the future. Mr. McGrath set up the visit, and put together the amazing video below. He's a real rockstar with the kids there; every time we would walk through the halls he would get mobbed by kids who were super excited to see him. The morning started out with us getting things together while the GNN, Gould News Network, played across all the classrooms- which he produces every day, and features kids from the school.
Well, we're back home, and all settled in- now we can recap on all that happened out there on the road. The pictures can say it a lot better than I can, so I won't hold you up here. Although, it should be noted that we met some incredible folks out there along the way, even got to catch up with some old friends! Big thanks to everyone who helped us out, and made this tour such a success!
This video is a time-lapse of the Alabama Book Festival. It was a gorgeous day in a beautiful part of the city. Here's a little glimpse of the day.
I walked all over Philadelphia the second day I was there. My hostel was up in the northern part of West Fairmount Park, so I trekked out through the woods and began my day. There was actually a lot more meandering around at night, but my phone died. Enjoy.
Thanks for stopping by!
Here's some more of what's been happening on the road.
Our first stop on the road was Hattiesburg, MS for the Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival at Southern Mississippi University.
We got into town late on the 7th, and set up camp at a campground just outside of town. It was pretty nice sleeping out among all the frogs and crickets.
These pictures give a little glimpse of the happenings over the course of the Fest.
Annette with the SuperTwinz was my table mate for the first day.
One stop shop!
Ms. Janice is such a good soul. We look forward to working with her more in the future.
Time to rest up for the final day.
I'm not a selfie taker, but I felt compelled to have this Jan van Eyck moment
The images below are from the De Grummond Children's Literature Collection. We of course wanted to see all those original artworks and process pieces. We missed the tour, but luckily Ms. Amanda was so kind that she skipped her lunch to give a special tour. Enjoy!
Saw this incredible mural each day while taking the series of escalators.
Got to meet Gene Luen Yang!
Curious George process pieces.
Yes!!!!
Rosemary Wells.
These Ezra Jack Keats pieces are amazing in person! So much texture and bold design, these pics don't so them much justice.
Keats posing for his own reference.
EJK
OG Snowy Day!
Look at all those EJK originals!
We'll be on tour from April 7th to April 26th, spreading the good word or Heave Ho! Come out tomorrow, wish us luck, and pick yourself up a worm sticker and one of the new Spaceboy postcards.
Lots of interesting news going around here lately, including being named as a finalist in the INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards for Children's Book: Early Reader! Judging has already begun, and it sounds like winners will be announced over the next few months; so keep those fingers and toes crossed.
Also, the tour booking has been going quite well. I'll be on the road from April 7th to probably the 26th. I'm still plugging in some bookstore stops to round things out, but I'll be in MS, AL, GA, NC OH, NY, PA, MD, so hopefully see you at one of those stops.
In addition to all that, great reviews have been coming in pretty steadily. Big thanks to everyone that has taken the time to type in some kind words and click those stars.
Click the pages below to go to the review on Mrs. K's blog.
"Amongst giggles and gasps. With story-time shouts of "Heave-Ho!" Our Library friends put everything they had in to helping the not-so-happy little worm. With the last great bit of heroism... all of our story helpers were rolling on the ground in joy and laughter."
"They simply have to hold it, they must "yell" those words of encouragement, and they eagerly claim it as their book of choice to take home and read it again."
Big thanks to Mrs. K and her energetic crew of students. I look forward to seeing what they're up to next.
Click on the bird.
That's right, I'm giving away 15 signed copies of Heave Ho! via www.GoodReads.com. Click on the happy worms below to enter for your chance to win!
