Bravo for Beacon!

The final stop on this summer's Henry Hudson journey was Beacon, in the mid-Hudson Valley.

Five crews of studious sculptors created relief maps out of salt dough. Thank you to the young readers and explorers (and their handy parents and grandparents who helped with the workshop).

I had a wonderful afternoon with you. It's now time for the author's boat to go into dry dock for a few weeks before school begins and classroom visits commence.

Have a wonderful August. I hope to visit with you again.

Henry Sails South to Kinderhook

Explorer Henry Hudson and I sailed down the Hudson River Valley into the tiny village of Kinderhook today to meet with ten enthusiastic water engineers and map designers!

Four crews of salt-dough sailors crafted maps of the Hudson River Valley.

Thank you for inviting me. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and HAPPY READING!

Math in Middleburgh??

Shh ... don't tell them!

Today's group of young paper engineers from Middleburgh in Schoharie County measured, counted, divided, used symmetry, drew parallel lines, and created fantastic pop-up books.

Thanks, illustrators, for inviting me to visit your beautiful library today.

Have a wonderful summer library program. Read, explore, create, and do some math!

Excellent Engineers Pop-Up in Elmira

My last library stop for the week was at the West Elmira Library, where I spent the afternoon with budding paper engineers.

Didn't they do an outstanding job making their paper-engineered books? There was no lack of creativity with this group of pop-up pros!

Thanks, everyone! It was a wonderful way to end an exciting week of library visits with young readers and illustrators.

Hope your summer continues to pop-up with great adventures!

Mouths A'Quackin' in Bath

Go West, Author, Go West! So I did!

Friday's travels took me through the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York, first to the beautiful town of Bath, where I met with paper engineers young and old to learn pop-up techniques.

As you can see, we had a fantastic time learning to make our books pop, flip, and even quack.

Thank you to the wonderful staff, helpers, young readers, and Bath Day Care visitors who made my visit an extra special one.

Remember to read and learn something new every day! (And thanks for teaching me too!)