A Real Treat....Robert Forbes Visits Van Meter!

Last Friday we had the honor of hosting Robert Forbes in our library. John Schu and I were introduced to Robert and his poetry through our friend Rocco during Poetry Month in April. We soon planned a day to Skype and share poetry with our students in Van Meter and Brook Forest.

Robert has written two books filled with amazing, fun poetry entitled Let's Have a Bite...A Banquet of Beastly Rhymes and Beastly Feasts...A Mischievous Menagerie in Rhyme.

Mrs. Braun's 4th graders and Mrs. Thompson's 5th graders were the lucky ones to meet Robert. After listening to several poems and hearing about the incredible illustrator Ronald Searle, the students engaged in a wonderful conversation with the poet. He spoke about how he started writing, the inspiration for the characters in his poems, what he enjoyed reading, and encouraged the students to always dream big.

Robert visited with us for over a hour and it was one of the best times we have had during an author visit. I loved it when the students told him how they "carried his poems in their pockets" during Poem In Your Pocket Day on April 13th (read about John's and I celebration at twolibrariesonevoice.com)

We look forward to reading, sharing, and following Robert's work.

Thank you, Robert. You are truly an inspiration to us all.

You can read more about Robert and his work on the RobertForbes.com website.

Katie Davis Shares Her New Book....Little Chicken's Big Day!

Last week, author Katie Davis visited my 3rd graders over Skype in the Van Meter Elementary Library. Katie shared her new book Little Chicken's Big Day that she created with her husband Jerry. This sweet book spends the day with Little Chicken and takes the reader on a range of emotions through adorable illustrators and simple words. My dear friend John Schu sent me Katie's book in the mail and I couldn't wait to share it with the students at Van Meter. They loved listening to Katie read it.

It was exciting for the 3rd graders to hear her talk about the process of writing and illustrating a children's book. She spoke about getting things just right....like the car seat Little Chicken was in. It took them several attempts to get the look that they wanted.

The third graders asked her so many wonderful questions. One of the best, "What was your favorite book as a child?" Katie was so excited to answer that...she ran off to get two of her childhood favorites to share. When we finished the Skype, the kids said, "She is like you Mrs. Miller...you share your old books with us too."

This is one book that you will definitely want to share with your students.

And find out for yourself what happens to Little Chicken on his big day!

Katie also wrote about Little Chicken's Big Day on her amazing blog...you can read it here!