B is for Book Tour

Since early September

I’ve been out-and-about,

to
Chicago and its Parks – Lincoln, Hyde and Rogers,

plus Vernon Hills,

Orland Park,

Winnetka,

Aurora,

Palatine,

Springfield,

Ann Arbor,

Reno,

Virginia City

and the Kidlitosphere,

visiting

classrooms,

gymnasiums,

learning centers and auditoriums,

libraries, bookstores,

conference centers and universities,

Veterans halls,

restaurants,

street tents

and blogs,

and a very lovely Bed and Breakfast living room.

I’ve shared S is for Story: A Writer's Alphabet

morning, noon and night,

with

teachers

academicians,

teachers-in-training,

librarians

booksellers

children’s book writers,

parents,

grandparents,

students of all ages,
but best of all,

Young Writers and Readers.

“Story is a gift!” I’ve declared non-stop. “And don’t forget: writers are readers!”

My tour’s final stops include this week’s second Teacher Workshop at Chicago’s Seward Communication Arts Academy, Friday evening’s Young Chicago Authors 2009 Holiday Book Bash from 6 to 9 pm at DePaul University’s Egan Urban Center at 1 E. Jackson St., Saturday’s 2 pm book signing at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at 1441 W. Webster to benefit the Louisa May Alcott School Friends of Alcott, December’s Author-to-Author visits with the Alcott School’s young writers and a December 11 "visit" with
Wildwood, New Jersey's Glenvwood Avenue School's third and fifth graders.

Visit my website after December 15 to view Kodak Moments and link to S is for Story: A Writer’s Alphabet book reviews, author/illustrator interviews, features and events.

It was during my first early September Seward Teacher Workshop that I encouraged the faculty to maximize publishing opportunities for the school’s Young Writers. I treasure the school’s Writing and Literature Magnet Cluster Lead Teacher Cathy Barzen’s email informing me fifth grader Oscar Garcia won the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance-sponsored student essay contest for grades 4 through 6. Oscar was honored at an October Luncheon and featured in the October 22, 2009 edition of the Chicago Sun Times.
“Thanks so much,” Cathy wrote, “for highlighting the importance of entering contests. You never know how far a teacher can touch the life of a child.”

I repeat: whether written or read, story is a gift!

Oh, how S is for Story: A Writer’s Alphabet continues to gift me, on tour and off.

Happy Gift-giving!
Esther Hershenhorn