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I had the pleasure of visiting American Heritage Summer Camp in Delray Beach yesterday, where I was welcomed by many friendly staff members and hundreds of campers. The library there, which was built two years ago is the most beautiful library I’ve ever seen in any school, with it’s beautiful resin trees and skylights that change colors. There’s even a choral reef story time room! Who wouldn’t want to read in here?!?!?!?!

Thank you  Sally Schleifer and Ally Stein for inviting me and making me feel very welcome at your beautiful school. And an additional thank you to the extra friendly Mr. Jim from the library for helping me carry my props out to the car.

I’m excited to start a new year of school author visits, returning to some I’ve visited before and many new schools and aftercare programs. In anticipation of this season, I’ve spent a great deal of time updating my author visit materials and presentation. I’ve got a pile of new posters I’ve hand-painted too. Check them out!

© Copyright by Debbie Glade – Cannot be copied or used without permission

© Copyright by Debbie Glade – Cannot be copied or used without permission

© Copyright by Debbie Glade – Cannot be copied or used without permission

© Copyright by Debbie Glade – Cannot be copied or used without permission

© Copyright by Debbie Glade – Cannot be copied or used without permission

© Copyright by Debbie Glade – Cannot be copied or used without permission

I was invited to visit three separate After School Programs this week for United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida. This generous organization serves over 1,800 children and adults in South Florida with Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, autism, spina bifida, prematurity, hearing, intellectual disabilities and speech delays with a variety of programs such as occupational, speech and music therapy, skills courses, respite care, counseling, after care and much more.

I discovered that most authors decline invitations to visit organizations that serve those with special needs. I suppose it is because they feel their books are not geared toward that type of audience. I was happy to visit these children knowing  they would simply enjoy listening to my cartoon voices, looking at the colorful pictures and dancing to the music. Some may not understand the story I am telling, but that’s not what enrichment is all about.

All the participants enjoy my world map and were proud to use the pointer to show others where their favorite places are in the world.

We learn about the animals of the Costa Rican rainforest.

The kids cheer when I tell them the book is recorded on CD with music and sound effects, and of course they want to know all about the story.

What I realized this week while spending time with the program participants is that they teach us how to live in the moment and be truly happy from the inside out. Dancing is the best!!!

And they sure like to give great hugs!

Teacher, Mr. Albert wanted to get in on the hug action too! LOL!

Ah, learning about the magic of watercolor pencils!

The teachers and assistants who work in the UCP After School Programs are equally as inspiring as the children. Their energy, dedication and love for what they do are truly remarkable. I wish to thank Allyson Nanny for inviting me and Site Directors Pat McGee and Lakeya Hariott as well as all the other wonderful staff members.

For more information about UCP programs, be sure to visit the United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida website.

Today I returned to Sunset Lakes Community Center in Miramar, FL to speak to a group of 50 campers ages 6-12 I visited here last summer under very unusual circumstances. I was all set up to perform on a large stage in front of a huge group of students when the electricity went out. It was quite dark in the auditorium, but we simply decided to open the outside doors, let in a little natural light and get started.It was rather hot in there, but we had a great visit – and the electricity never turned back on that day.

Luckily today, the electricity worked just fine, and the A/C  was much appreciated. And I have to say these campers were among the most curious children of all the students I’ve met. A few of the best questions I was asked were:

Q. “What does a 6-year-old child like me need to do now to become an author when I’m an adult?”

A. “Awesome question! Read, read, read all you can and not just popular books. Find unusual stories, books about historical figures and books about how to do things. Practice writing. Start with a pen pal, maybe even a friend who lives close by. Write thank you notes, keep a journal, write poetry. You’ll get better and better with practice.”

Q. “Is is okay if I laugh at your cartoon voice, because I think it’s really hilarious?!”

A. “I sure hope you do laugh because it is supposed to be funny!”

Q. “Why did you choose a millipede for your lead character, Lilly Badilly?”

A. “I love pill millipedes that roll into balls when they feel threatened. There are more than 10,000 species of millipedes on the planet, and they love the rainforests of Costa RIca. They are not harmful to humans. Besides, there are not many stories about traveling millipedes!”

Here are 10 random facts the children learned today:

• Costa Rica’s rainforest is home to many of the plants used to make modern medicines.
• Washington DC is not a state.
• Traditional publishers choose the illustrators for picture books; authors do not have a say it it.
• A ger is a tent that people in rural Mongolia call home.
• Rhino Beetles are the strongest animals on the planet.
• Costa Rica is located in Central America, though its technical continent is South America (because Central America is not really a continent).
• Most authors do not get rich from selling their books.
• I make my own costumes.
• American students unfortunately have a high rate of geography illiteracy, but every student can educate himself on geography.
• Writers get their inspiration mostly from people they know and experiences they’ve had.

Thank you Miramar Parks and Recreation for a fabulous week of author visits!

For any of you out there who live in Broward County and are looking for programs for your children, I cannot say enough about how wonderful the programs and staff are in Miramar. Check out the website!

I returned to two wonderful City of Miramar, FL camps today, I visited last summer – the Miramar Youth Enrichment Center and the Ansin Sports Complex. I am once again awe struck by the dedication of the staff members and by the excellent programs the city offers to children.

No matter how many author visits I’ve done, no two are ever the same. Today I spoke  to a small group of middle school students at the Ansin Sports Center, and we had a fabulous discussion about publishing, reading, inspiration, writing, editing, getting into a good college and even writing a resume. The students were most fascinated by the writing I’ve done for mountain climber, Jeff Gottfurcht, and they wanted to know all about his climb. They were so sophisticated and polite, it was as if I were taking to adults.

I was asked a great question today I’ve never been asked before: “Do you get nervous when you speak to groups of students?”

My answer: “In the beginning, when I first started talking to students I was very nervous. Now I’m never nervous, because with experience, I’m comfortable with the topics I discuss.”

Many thanks to Billy Neal, Gerald, Dralin Celestin and all the other staff members for inviting me back to your camps.

Journalist, Dallas Woodburn, from CA interviewed Rachel for her role in creating Lilly Badilly’s music and working for Smart Poodle Publishing. Thank you Dallas! The interview is in the actual October 2009 issue of Listen Magazine and not online. If you are not familiar with Listen Magazine, it is a venue for highlighting teens who pledge to be free of drugs and alcohol and who are contributing to the community in positive ways. The magazine includes feature stories about teens, articles about reaching goals and staying motivated and just making the right choices in life.  What a great concept.