Book Reading at Green Oaks Elementary School (Orangevale, CA)

     Yesterday was my very first book reading at a school. I was invited by Judie Huegel, one of the mothers, to help celebrate Read Across America and Dr. Seuss Day. I was so excited to find out if the kids would love my books.          

     The 3rd graders (photo on the bottom left) were very responsive. They openly smiled as I read Mud Spots and Candy Sprinklers. One redhead girl secretly pointed out her freckles to me in reference to Molly. That meant a lot! I was happy to know that a kid could relate to my story. I thought I was just going to read one book, but the kids asked me to read The Magic Paintbrush. It was music to my ears hearing them laugh, especially when I read to them that Alexa's painting of a cloud looked like a puddle of cow's poop. This seems to be the funniest part of the book.

     The fourth graders (photo on the right) were more reserved, but they were very inquisitive. I was asked again to read The Magic Paintbrush. Obviously, the t-shirt I was wearing with The Magic Paintbrush book cover on it made them curious about the book. During the question and answer portion, my most favorite question was, "Will you write a sequel?" I nodded my head and asked them to tell me what they thought would be a good story for The Magic Paintbrush II.
     These were some of the responses:
- Alexa loses Picasso, the magic paintbrush, and finds it in the garbage can.
- There will be a battle between Picasso and an evil paintbrush.
- Picasso gets broken and Alexa finds a way to fix it.
- Somebody steals Picasso.
     I told them that I loved the idea of somebody stealing Picasso because that will be the main plot of the second book. Only they know who will steal it from Alexa. ;-)
     I was asked if I would come back to share the sequel to them. I happily answered, "Why not?"