Spring School Tour (and a Hink Pink)

Now that spring is easing into summer, Robert and I can reflect on our spring author visit schedule and what a great success it was! From Hawaii to California to Michigan, we had the great fortune to visit thousands and thousands of children.

In March, we visited 22 elementary schools in Michigan for March is Reading Month, a month dedicated to celebrating reading, writing and creating wonderful stories. We usually return to Michigan for a few weeks in March for author visits, but this year, we really packed them in – visiting 22 schools back to back! At Clara Bolen Elementary in Tawas, the students had prepared their own riddles for us, The Riddle Solvers. Here are a couple of the tricky ones:

1. Dear Riddle Solvers, I am sticky at first. As I get bigger, I get harder. I move, but I do not make myself move. At first I am one, but later I am many. I am gone as soon as you see me. What am I?

2. Dear Riddle Solvers, Coming, going, sometimes it isn’t showing but I’m always there. You certainly need me or else everything would die. If everything was gone I would cry. I make people stay tall. You find me on a ball. If you don’t do it right, you just might fall. What am I?

3. This riddle is a “Hink Pink” which means the answer to the riddle has two words, and those words rhyme.What is a Hink Pink for a man who works at Burger King?

Answers: 1) homemade cookie  2) balance and 3) Fry Guy

I wish we had a photographer with us at every school we visit, to really capture the faces of the students during our programs. We have so much fun! I figure I can at least share a few thank you notes we received in the mail – a few from teachers and a few from the students who saw our author visits.

“Thank you so much for being the highlight of our March is Reading Month Celebration. All grades, all genders, ethnicities and learners loved your presentations! Your presence made such an impact that we can’t keep the books on the shelves and the movies are getting check out over and over again! Thanks for sharing your love for literature, nature and enthusiasm! With much appreciation.” – Melissa C., Media Specialist, Michigan

“Your presentation was dazzling! Your humor and energy demonstrated such enthusiasm for creating your books and movies that our Cherry Creek CHAMPS are motivated to publish their own work this month. THANK YOU!” — Cherry Creek Elementary Staff

“Dear Sisbro, When you came to the assembly at our school, for almost every second I was giggling. I really like your “Riddle in a Bottle” story. During the movie, I really enjoyed thinking about what the answer could be. I was also wondering if you made any other movies. My favorite character was the eel. “Hello? Anybody  home? I just want to eat you.” I thought the eel was really funny. I also liked the tide fish. I liked your movie so much that when I get home. P.S. Tide!!” — Sarah

Until the next spring tour, oh children of the world. May our presentations enrich your lives a fraction of how you’ve enriched mine. Keep reading, writing and creating! – Laura