from the files of
Educator & Children's Book Author
Barbara Jean Hicks
One of the great joys of writing for children is being with children!
I love visiting schools to talk to kids about writing and art, and it was a very special treat for me one day last Spring to go back to Central Elementary School in Ferndale, Washington--the school I attended as a child--as a featured workshop leader for their Young Artist's Fair. I spent all day working with several second grade classrooms, reading from MONSTERS DON'T EAT BROCCOLI and teaching an art lesson on color and pattern.
The great experience doesn't end with the visit. Often, teachers have their students write thank you notes that arrive a week or so later and make me understand anew why I do what a do. It's all about the kids!
Here's a smattering of "thank you's" from the kids at Central. I hope they make you smile (or giggle!) as they did me. The creative spelling is all their own!
Dear Barbara Hicks, I love the mostr you are the best Thank you.
Thank you Mrs, Hicks For takeing your time theting us make monsters with you I love making.
Thank you for Reading us Mosters don't eat Brokolee and tsching us how to do Msters.
dear barbara Hicks you the best prseneit the wold. thank you.
Thank you for teaching us how to draw a monster that sings. (The illustration for this one showed a monster on a stage under a disco ball singing "oooo! eee! ooooe!")
Thank you for teaching us how to Mrs Hicks - Monsters.
Have you ever presented in a school you attended as a child? Did you remember how big it seemed then--and been astounded how small it seems now?! If you haven't taken the opportunity to present your books in schools, I hope you will--it will remind you, too, why you do what you do.
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