Mike Artell, author

Mr. Artell visited our students today, and he is a funny guy! We enjoyed learning more about him, listening to parts from some of his books, and learning some tips on drawing.

We learned that he lives near New Orleans, Louisiana, and that he can talk in a great Cajun accent!

A great drawing tip Mr. Artell gave us is: "Don't draw what you know. Draw what you see."

Mo Willems Day

Thanks to Ms. Fultz and her hard work, we had lots of fun celebrating author Mo Willems last Friday!

Jan Brett

This week, along with our Text Talk book, The Mitten, we are doing an author study on Jan Brett!

Please check out her awesome website for fun activities, videos, and more:

Jan Brett Website

Q & A with author Deborah Hopkinson

Deborah Hopkinson, author of Apples to Oregon, was so kind to answer some questions our 2nd grade students thought of for her.  Thank you, Mrs. Kubinsky, for contacting Ms. Hopkinson and sending her our questions!

Here are our questions and Ms. Hopkinson's answers:

How long did it take you to write the book Apples to Oregon?

 

It took about a whole school year, from the start until the end.

 

Have you ever grown an apple tree?  If so is that where you first got the idea to write Apples to Oregon? 

 

Well, actually we did have a couple of small apple trees in Walla Walla, Washington where I was living when I wrote Apples to Oregon.  Can you find another mention of Walla Walla in the book?

 

Where do you get the information for your books?

I got the information by doing research. I found an article about the real Luelling family and the rest I made up!

 

What is it like to be an author?

It is fun but hard work to write books, and lots of fun to visit schools and talk to kids.  I also have a day job at a college, raising money for scholarships so that kids can go to college.

 

What is your favorite book you’ve written?

I think that Apples to Oregon IS my favorite book!

 

Which book has been the most popular book?

The most popular book has been Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt. Maybe you can find that and read it too.

 

Are you writing a new book?

I have three books coming out in 2012:  A Boy Called Dickens, Titanic: Voices from the Disaster, and Annie and Helen.

 

If you are working on a new book, what would it be about?

In addition to my three new books, I am writing another new one.  It is called A Trail of Coffins and it is a story about a boy who lives in London during a terrible epidemic.

I also just finished a book called, A Letter to My Teacher.

 

Did you like to write stories when you were in 2^nd grade?

I think you all are probably ahead of me.  I didn't start writing until I was in 4th grade. 

  

Do you have any advice for us as young writers?

 Keep writing and reading!

 

Have a great year!

 

All best,

 

Deborah Hopkinson

Author Study: Leo Lionni

This week we are reading Leo Lionni's The Extraordinary Egg.  The book is full of rich, robust vocabulary words and beautiful, unique illustrations.  Leo Lionni has many fabulous books.

Today we read Inch by Inch, which tied into not only our author study, but also our study of insect life cycles and our study of measurement in math!  Triple whammy!

Check out this great website about Leo Lionni's books:

Leo Lionni Site

Patricia Polacco: Author Study

This week, our Text Talk book is Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco.

Thunder Cake is a very descriptively written book about a grandmother helping her granddaughter overcome her fear of storms. The book contains beautiful, expressive language while telling an interesting story.

This week we will also be checking out some of Patricia Polacco's other books (Thank You, Mr. Falker is one of my favorites!). She is a great author to consider when visiting the local library, and her illustrations are beautiful, as well. :)

Check out some of her awesome books below...