“Did you have to ride horses to school when you were a teacher?”

There I was in full 19^th century color. 

To this sweet kindergartener I was simply . . . really old. 

The past few months I’ve had the great honor of sharing my book, Turtle on the Track, with lots of young readers.

Without a doubt, I always left a school more energize than when I walked in the front door. 

Their not-afraid-to-speak-up remarks made all the hard days of this writing life worth it! (You writers know what I’m talking about.)

They can be funny without knowing it, sincere without realizing it, and encouraging without having a clue. Kids just have a way.

Here’s what I mean . . .

“You give great hugs.” Forget about the book…hugs are where it’s at.

“That’s the end? Seriously? You need to write the next book.” Time for a sequel?

“Adults are always too rushing. I think this story is trying to tell us that we need to slow down to notice things more. This morning I had to rush. I don’t like it.” Who planted this little darling in the audience?

“I know a lot about turtles. Want to learn something?” Certainly, Mr. Turtle Expert. 

“Finally!! I’ve been trying to say this since we sat down!!! D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything And Read!!!”  Sorry, I didn’t see your hand . . . and thank you for your hour long patience.

She cupped her hands to her mouth, reached toward my ear and whispered ever so softly, “I’m really glad you wrote that story.” Thank you … I promise not to tell anybody.

Notes are extra special. Here’s just a few. (Sure am glad I included a video!)

Not hard to see why I’m looking forward to getting back to this gig in the fall!

I don’t very often suggest blank books for your bookshelf, but maybe one of these will come in handy when the littles in your life come up with those sincere, affirming, not-afraid-to-speak-up remarks. 

You know the kind. I’m sure you remember some to get started. (It may end up your favorite book some day!)

You can find these here and here.

Please contact me if you’d like to schedule a visit during the school year! (Or maybe you know a teacher who would be interested!)

I’d love to visit your classroom if your school is within an hour of Eau Claire, WI.

If farther, I’d be happy to Zoom right in.

Here’s a testimonial from one of the school’s I visited . . . the one with the whisperer . . . shhhhh 😉. . .

AND

if you order Turtle on the Track through Orange Hat Publishing, you’ll get a signed copy and 20% off!

(You’ll also get a little extra quiet time with coloring pages, a dot-to-dot, and a turtle search on every page!) 

Start on my home page to order or go directly to Orange Hat Publishing.

Whether or not you purchase Turtle on the Track, let me chime in with one young reader in the audience who called to me as she left to go back to her classroom, “Hey, you’re a good person!”

Kids just have a way. 🙂

Happy Summer!

HAPPY SUMMER Reading!!