Erin Dealey

I visited the kids at Valley Oak Elementary in Davis CA last week. Here’s a picture from one of the p.m. Kinders, Kerryne. You can view more of their letters and fabulous art work in my photo album: Letters From Kids.  I wish I could have displayed more of them but those in pencil didn’t scan well. Like the one from Melanie who wrote,

"Books are the Best! You have the BEST BOOKS in the world! I want to be an author too!"

Note to Melanie: Thanks! You’re awesome! Remember what I said in my assembly, ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE!

I’ve also included letters I got last spring from the 6th graders at North Davis Elementary. (Sorry it took me so long!) These kids are probably in middle school or Junior High now but I love the book they made me. One of the letters that was too light to reprint was from 6th grader Cindy Mo:

Dear Ms. Dealey,

Your performance was amazing! Every single joke of yours was hilarious and original. When I first walked into the multi-purpose room, I thought I was up for another boring day, but boy was I wrong! Your books are wonderful and I love the way you tie them into nursery rhymes’ characters, making it much more entertaining/ And I will never forget what you said about being an author. You are right; nobody can know what occupation they will be in the future.

Sincerely,                                                                                Cindy Mo

Note to Cindy: You go girl! I hope 7th grade is a good one for you!

Kerryne and the afternoon kindergarteners at Valley Oak made me a book too. Here’s a page that Celine made for me,and a princess story by Simone. See why I love school visits? If I can inspire kids to read and write and believe in themselves, life is good.

And yeah, I know I said I’d get back to HarperCollins editor Kristin Daly’s talk at the fall SCBWI conference in Davis a few weeks ago (boy, I’ve been in Davis a lot lately!), but I’ll save that for the next blog. Meanwhile it’s time for me to PBIC and WRITE NOW! Maybe you should join me…