Some Schools go All Out!

It's not necessary to decorate your entire school to look like Africa or Haiti when I come. But some schools have done just that and more.

Early this month I visited

New Wilmington Elementary School tucked away behind the high school and the middle school in an Amish community in New Wilmington, PA.

Check out the amazing mural that greeted me as I walked in the door. The rays of sun and the green stalks of grass are formed from handprints of every student and teacher in the school. If you could see the tiny print you would know that every member of the school community also has their name on this amazing work of art inspired by several of my books.

But these teachers and students went beyond Africa. They recognized that the theme of several of my books has to do with recycling so everything used to make this unique work of art is recycled...I especially like the use of cereal boxes cut up for tusks and grass.

But that was not all! Look what greeted me on the stage where I was speaking in the all purpose room: A nearly life sized tap-tap with heads of the riders made out of paper bags. The wheels are vinyl...that's right the kind that some of us used to spin on record players.

Every classroom door was decorated around a theme or title from one of my books.

There were Galimotos made from all kinds of recycled and found objects all over the school.

It's not necessary but these dedicated teachers, administrators, librarians and parents know that you get so much more out of an author visit, the more you put into it.

At least one student proclaimed it would be an awesome day.

And it was!

Hey! What's that on Your Shirt???

My Name is Sangoel inspires students at one of my recent school visits.

And what would you share?  See how Four Feet, Two Sandals also inspired these students.

And Galimoto reaches new heights of creativity!

Visit to Park School in Baltimore

 On January 5th I visited Park School in Baltimore.A welcoming school in a beautiful setting.   It was only the second day back after the winter break but students and teachers alike were enthusiastic and involved.   The day began with two assemblies, storytelling about my books and writing life.   As always galimotos stoled the show.

Then we moved on to a third grade writing project.  Note my inspiring funny face. :-)  

Writing from POV.  How does the gum feel, think when it is being opened stuck in the mouth and chewed? 

After school parents came to help build galimotos and sculptures from recycled items.

The day ended with a book signing at a local children's bookstore.  I remember when we used to have independent book stores too in Pittsburgh...sigh....

GALIMOTO Still Inspires

I was invited to visit Nature Camp at the Frick Park Environmental Center in Pittsburgh this summer.  

Galimoto was the inspiration for much fun and creativity as second grade campers thought about ways to recycle plastic bags, wires, bottle caps, soda can tabs, bicycle wheels and scraps from nature into toys. 

In the book, Kondi uses wire to build his special toy car.  But he has other things in his own box of toys including a dancing man puppet made from dry cornstalks.  A child in Africa might also have a yoyo made out of a bottle cap, a toy made from the sticky clay-like dirt of a termite mound, or a rag ball made of plastic bags. 

The Campers at Frick Park came up with their own ideas for jewelry, kite and even a hobo stick.  And games.  Who can throw their rag ball the farthest?  

Some of the comments I heard:  "It didn't know Camp would be this fun."  "Do we have to stop now?  No?  Good I want to keep doing this all day."  "I like this the best."  "I want to make lots for gifts."  "I want to make one of each."  

Frick Park Flowers Make Me Smile!