​Hands-down the best part of my writing journey is connecting in-person with young readers. at at festivals, bookstores, schools, and libraries.  

But I hadn’t visited a children’s book club until recently, when I was invited to the Boys’ Book Club to discuss writing and read from my e-fantasy, “The Magical Aquarium.”  I had THE best time with these eight winsome second-graders, who attended the same school and played sports together.  Here are 10 things their moms and I did to make lasting memories of the boys' afternoon with an author.

​
​1.      Book Selection and Meeting Site

The boys selected their own books that ranged from biographies and non-fiction to my e-fantasy with an ecological message, The Magical Aquarium.

​Given demands of doing homework. playing sports, and just being kids, the Boys Book Club met quarterly, rotating between member houses. 

​

​2.      Create a Theme

I learned tons about creating kid-friendly vibes from the moms!  

Host Mom fashioned an underwater theme to immerse the boys in my book: kids sat on beach towels spread on the floor; beach shovels, goggles and sand toys sprinkled around the room added to the ocean feel.  Host Mom even filled pails filled with crayons and pencils the boys would use for activities.

​3.      Break the Ice
We started with a fun, physical exercise that got these active boys up and moving before settling down to discuss their book. This also helped us get to know each other.

4.      Use "Big" Discussion Vocabulary
The first third of our 30-minute discussion started by dissecting my tale using bookish terms most already knew:

•  What's the main action or plot?
• What's the conflict?  How is it solved? 
• Who is the protagonist/main character?  What’s her goal?
• Who is the antagonist/baddie? What does the the antagonist want?
• Which character is most like YOU and why?
• Fantasy is a special genre/type of writing: Is fantasy real or make-believe?  What elements of fantasy did you find in "The Magical Aquarium?" 

​

5.      Share Inside ‘Secrets’ of a Writerly Life
Next, we huddled around my laptop for a slide presentation on writing and publishing.  The boys were really into this, and I loved encouraging junior authors and artists!  I found techies in the group, too, who were excited to learn how computers and apps were used to create and format books. 

My biggest tips for junior writers:
Write what you know; write what you love.  
And edit, edit edit!

6.      Elicit Questions Ahead of Time

Although we answered general questions along the way, we concluded my portion of book club with Q&As. The boys wrote questions in advance and slipped them into a beach pail. I was impressed by what they wanted to know!

​7.      Incorporate Extension Activities
The children moved into extension activities run by another mom.  Reinforcing The Magical Aquarium’s themes of ecology, she showed a video about manatees and discussed ways to save the ocean and its animals.  To solidify learning, their final activity was creating a poster showing what the boys could do to protect the sea.

8.      Leave Behind Something Fun 
Since the boys read my e-book and I couldn't sign a physical copy, I created and signed character image cards for them.  I also gave each child  a coloring page and word-find printable, based on The Magical Aquarium,  to do at home.

9.      Serve Kid-Friendly Food When Possible
Literally, the icing on the cake came at the end of book club, when Host Mom served a killer treat supporting my book’s aquatic theme: “kelp” cupcakes (dyed-green vanilla) with watery-blue frosting and gummy fish topping.  (Note: Gotta watch what's offered to make sure no one has allergies to nuts, wheat, etc.)

10.  Follow Up
Within 72 hours of a visit, I sent a thank-you video made just for the children, featuring photos of them that highlight our time together. (Note: I’m sensitive about showing children's faces on social media and do not do so unless I have express permission from parents.)  

I even received beyond-precious notes from children that let me know I made an impact.

Conclusion

Children everywhere are excited meeting an author and hearing a story read aloud by the person who penned it.  Older kids want to know about the writing process and all young readers bubble over with questions.

I was lucky to have host moms help me. However when I run events and don’t have host moms, I offer extension activities and printables after customized discussions to cement our time together. 

Not every author visit can match the depth of a small group experience like the Boys Book Club; however essentials of literacy can be present anywhere to make reading fun, engaging, and relevant for any group of young readers.

Catly Note of Appreciation:
HUGE thanks to Drew, Hayden, Nicholas, Jude, Connor, Julian, Brian, Sebastian, Ms. Maria, and all the moms of the Boys Book Club!  Happy tales always -:D. ​

YOUR Catly Author Visit?

Is your classroom, library, or book club ready for a Catly author visit to get children pumped about reading? I travel in-person near my North Carolina home, southern Connecticut and adjacent New York counties; York County, Pennsylvania, or by Skype anywhere!

Learn more and schedule your author visit to build lasting memories for your young reader HERE

​Your Turn
What tips and insights can you offer about helping kids get the most from an author visit?  Please share in the comment section.

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Driving Down to Dillon: A Tale of Love & New Beginnings

What’s on your bucket list?  Sky-diving?  River-cruising? A trip to Disney?
 
For my trainiac spouse, JM, it’s riding old-timey rails.  Prone to motion sickness, I’ve been hesitant to join him.  But we recently dodged that malady (whew!) and checked off his bucket list with a 4.5-hour excursion on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad to the Nantahala River Gorge. 
 
Bring the kids and meet me at the Bryson City, NC, depot for an image-based journey and travel tips. I even uploaded a 60-second video, so you can be an armchair-traveler, trekking with me through high-country forests that tower over the sparkling Nantahala River and its world-class rapids. 

All Aboard!

* Arrive at least 30 minutes early (earlier during peak weekends) to park and pick up tickets.   We waited for the 2:00 diesel and its 4.5-hour round-trip Nantahala River Gorge excursion.

Tip: get your ticket online ahead of time because they sell out fast, especially during peak fall colors and themed excursions for children, like the Peanuts Express in autumn or winter’s Polar Express.  And be on time.  The train won't wait for latecomers.

​* JM wanted to ride the steam engine.   However, Hurricane Nate threatened, so we changed our departure date. To be safe, we bypassed a weekend-only steam ride for a mid-week ride on the diesel engine.

Tip: You can change your ticket, depending on seating availability, for a slight fee within 48 hours of departure.

​

​* Pure serendipity!  We bumped into Engine 1702 chugging next to us as we drove along a mountain road.

Tip: The steam engine stays active near the depot all night to undergo maintenance.  Kids of all ages can get up close and personal with 1702. 

​* I was tempted, but those side-facing seats in an open car could've made me ill. Instead, we opted for a closed car, so I rode in a facing direction that kept away the yucks.

Tip: Open seating is also a less-expensive option and great fun for kids.  Blankets are offered during cold weather; ceiling fans in the car cool in summer.

On the Rails

* We couldn't stop Oooo-ing and Ahhhh-ing while click-clacking alongside the Nantahala River with those early autumn tints straddling its banks.  A banjo-player serenaded travelers with peppy mountain tunes, and our attendant kept us happy with refreshments and snacks.

Tip: If inclined to return without kids, the Moonshine Car offers special liquid refreshments just for adults -:D  ​

​* The excursion included a 60-minute layover at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, a huge adventure-sport complex near the Appalachian Trail, offering zip-lining, kayaking, and rafting.  We spotted kayakers shooting the same rapids that challenged world competitors in 2013.  Little passengers stripped off shoes to wade in quieter river waters.  Between people-watching, browsing shops, and checking out restaurants, the hour flew by. 
 

Choo-choo: Vid Views, Sounds
Hey, see for yourself in a 60-second vid I uploaded for you on Youtube.  It's a bit more personal than usual: I included my smiling face and JM's pure delight for his bucket list ride.  Did you catch the banjo and rapids, too?

Don’t Be In a Hurry to Leave

* The return trip was over too soon. Back in Bryson City, the smile on JM's face was still as wide and bright as a Smoky Mountain crescent moon. It was about to get even more so as passengers disembarked and crossed the tracks to a long single-story building.
​ 
Tip: Tickets included entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains Train Museum adjacent to the depot.  With dozens of giant model train layouts, 100s of O-scale rolling stock, and more than 7,000 Lionel(TM) engines, the museum was a must-see for kids and rail fans.  btw...JM was in heaven watching trains run and swapping model railroading tales with congenial museum curator, Ron.

Bucket List Part 2?
​

Would I go again? 

You bet … as long as motion sickness tablets and wristlettes keep me from turning green <winking here>. 

​In fact, JM tells me there’s another steam train out of Bryson City that follows the Tuckasegee River to the high country town of Dillsboro.  And some day, I'd love to do the Polar Express and be a kid again myself.  Chooo-chooooo!

To learn more about the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, visit its website:
http://www.gsmr.com

Your turn
​  
How about you? What’s on your bucket list?  What rail excursions are in your part of the world? What tips do you have for riding the rails?  Please share in the comment section.  Thanks a ton for riding with me!!

Photos and video by Cat Michaels

Thanks for stopping by.  Like what you see?
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Young at Heart: download your FREE copy of a special Catly tale
Driving Down to Dillon: A Tale of Love & New Beginnings

 ~ Chelsea Sedoti, YA author: The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett

I love Halloween! I can’t wait for wee ghosts and goblins to visit our house, eager to show their costumes and get treats. Inspired by the season, I penned three mini-tales that are fun for all; won't scare kids. 

Hope you enjoy them AND also enjoy yummy Halloween recipes from my friend and colleague James Milson.  This Ozark-based author of The Tales of Little Red Bear finds THE most mouth-watering treats. I can’t bake, but his recipes make me want to try. 

​Halloween Mini-Tale Trio
for Young Readers
by Cat Michaels

​

Berry Conundrum
by Cat Michaels
I pass the beautiful garden every day walking home from school. Brimming with pumpkins and still-ripe autumn bounty. Surely, the old woman who lives there won't mind if I sample a teeny juicy berry from her garden.  She won't miss just one.

Reaching to pluck the fruit, a black cat slides next to me. 

"Are you certain my mistress won’t mine?" it purrs.

The Stack
by Cat Michaels

OOOOOOOooooo! 
The little boy and his mother are coming to see us! 
Maybe they'll  pick me!  I'm perfectly orange, firm and ready for carving. 
Please, please, please take ME home.  
 
Harumph ... No way!  I'm the biggest in the stack.  Surely they'll take ME!
 
Bah!  Mom wants a petite-sized ME for her office.

"Decision time, Jake,” Mom asks after the third time circling the stack.  “Which is to be our jack-o-lantern?"
 
"Let's keep looking, mom,” the boy sighs.  “No pumpkins in this stack will do."
 
"OK, sweetie,” she says.  “We'll search more.  But it's starting to shower, so let's hurry back to the car."

Not a rain shower <sob>.  You didn't pick US!
We're shedding Pumpkin Tears.

​Watchers
by Cat Michaels 

Dusk steals the last sparkle of autumn sun.  She's running late.  Missed the last bus.  Taking the shortcut to reach home by nightfall. 
 
But that brings her past the old house at the edge of town. 
 
Dry leaves crunch underfoot as she approaches. The dark house looms large in a graying sky, and a sudden wind cuts the air. She shivers and grips her coat tight, but it's more than cold making her quake. 

Hurrying, she glances at the rickety front porch.  Is that a light in the window? 

Nonsense! she tells herself.  Nobody's lived here for years. 
 Then why is a shadow moving behind the curtain???  
 And is that a face glaring at me?!?

Running now, she leaves the house behind and slips gratefully into the safety of  street lights beyond.
 
"Aw, ma, why couldn't I have me a taste of that one?" the shadow cries.
 
"Behave yourself, boy!  As long as there's a breath in me, I'll be protecting all innocents on who pass by my house on Halloween from your witless hunger."
 
"But ma," the shadow protests.  "You don't have a breath.  We're dead."
 
"No matter. Don't talk back to your mother!"

Spooktacularly Good
Halloween Recipes 
curated by James Wilson
​

I can't decide which I like better: choco-spider cookies or ghost pretzels.

No matter which one, you can't go wrong with the awesome recipes James Milson curated on his blog, Writing and Things.  Pop over to his blog for kid-alicious Halloween treats, but be warned: you WILL become hungry HERE

Hey, can you choose just ONE?

Your Turn
What Halloween traditions do you remember as a child?  Enjoy with your kids today?  What's your fave fall food treat?  Please share in the comment section.

Thanks for stopping by.  Like what you see?  
Don’t miss a post!
Send this blog to your RSS feed or email.

Join the fun * Join Cat’s tribe
Updates - Special Offers - Fun & Freebies
Be in the know with What's Up, Cat's occasional newsletter
​(Never share email addresses; no worries) 
*************************************************
Just for new tribe members....
Kids: have a grown-up download FREE printables based on Cat’s books
Young at Heart: download your FREE copy of a special Catly tale
Driving Down to Dillon: A Tale of Love & New Beginnings