Tag Archive for James Preller Wake Me In Spring

FAN MAIL WEDNESDAY #342: A Drawing from Amber

 

What a nice surprise to receive a letter and a drawing from Amber in Illinois, who named Wake Me In Spring her favorite book. Illustrator Jeffrey Scherer and I published that one back in 1994 and it’s still one of my favorites, too. 

Amber also included this fabulous drawing . . . 

 

I replied . . . 

Dear Amber, 

Did you write that letter all by yourself? My goodness, you must be doing great in school. Keep up the good work!

I’m very glad to hear that you loved Wake Me In Spring. I’ve written many books in my career —- after all, I am as old as dust! —- but Wake Me In Spring, illustrated by Jeffrey Scherer, written 31 years ago, remains one of my favorites. It’s just so nice, that friendship between Bear and Mouse, don’t you think?

When I visit schools, I still love to share that story with young readers. I also love to read my new book, Two Birds and a Moose!  You might like it, too. I have another one coming out this summer: Two Ballerinas and a Moose! Ha, ha, ha. 

         

Thank you, especially, for the fantastic, amazing, stupendous drawing you sent along with the letter. Wow, Amber! You have a ton of talent. Maybe one day I’ll be reading one of your books! That is, I hope you are making up your own stories at home. And if you are not, well, you should!

Happy reading, happy summer, happy birds, happy clouds, happy knees, happy toes, happy bananas, happy everything!

James Preller

P.S. Your real letter is on the way!

 

GOOD NEWS: Coming in August, My First “Easy-to-Read” in 30 Years!

Coming in August, this aspirational moose!

 

This sweet little book, wonderfully illustrated by Abigail Burch, is my first easy-to-read since WAKE ME IN SPRING and HICCUPS FOR ELEPHANT (both sold over 1 million copies and both are out of print). Published those two 30 years ago. It was time.

I like this moose. 

Wake Me In Spring

Ha! The best photo yet of my grandnephew Beau — holding a book I wrote 28 years ago. Just look at that little hand. He’s obviously brilliant.

This book was a success, sold more than 1.5 million copies, so of course Scholastic let it go out of print ages ago. I’ve still got a dwindling few stashed away in a closet. I don’t seem to be particularly gifted when it comes to writing picture books, a knack I lack, but this one was well done all around, illustrated with deft charm by Jeffrey Scherer.

Fan Mail Wednesday #250: The Book Is Now a T-Shirt!

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First, look at this face.
 
Can an author say “no” to a face like this?
 
I would juggle live fire if this young girl asked me to do it.
 
(Um, hoping she won’t ask. Please, Aubrielle, don’t ask me to juggle live fire!)
 
aubs and her doll
 
Anyway, a letter too sweet not to share . . . and it came with photos. Also, hey now, the 250th Fan Mail Wednesday. So grateful for these kind letters!
 
Dear Mr. Preller,
 
t shirt My grand-daughter Aubrielle is 5 years old and is in Kindergarten at ________.   She LOVES to read . . . and the other day she came home all excited because she was told that you would be coming to visit school on the 16th of May.  I didn’t know many of the details . . . but I sent a note to the librarian and was also happy to hear of your upcoming visit to our area.  One of Aubrielle’s favorite books is “Wake me in Spring” . . . and she decided to do a special t-shirt to honor your visit. We brought it to school today and they have it on display in the Library which made her feel so proud.  We are hoping when you come that maybe you could sign it for her….and I could take a photo of you and her together.  I am enclosing a photo of Aubrielle and the t-shirt. Looking so forward to meeting you. Have a great day!!!
 
Sincerely,
 
Carol and Aubrielle
 
I replied:
 –

Carol,

That’s so sweet, thank you for sharing those pictures. Of course I’d be happy and honored to sign the shirt and take a photo with Aubrielle.
 –
Could I share these photos on my blog? If yes, I would not identify Aubrielle’s school nor include her last name. I just sometimes like to share details from school visits without violating anyone’s privacy. That said, I understand if you prefer to keep this between us. It’s all good.
 –
My best,
 –
James Preller

A Few Snaps from School Visits: A Typical Day on an Elementary School Visit

There’s nothing particularly outstanding here, but I thought I’d throw up a few snaps from recent school visits and walk you through a typical arrangement.

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Yes, that’s truly “a good sign” for any author visit. It is welcoming and shows that the school has invested time and thought into the visit. I’ve said it a thousand times: Authors don’t do school visits, schools do author visits.

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I visit elementary schools and middle schools. Next week, for example,I’ll even be speaking to 380 students in one packed auditorium, grades 7-12. When I visit traditional K-5 elementary schools, I try to arrange to meet with K-only groups for shorter, more intimate visits. Then I’ll see groups of grades 1-2, grades 3-4, and grade 5 only. My material and message seems to fall in line with those groupings.

 

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When I see grades 5-only, it allows me to include in my presentation a bit about Bystander and bully-themed issues. It’s a little older, more mature, a little deeper.

 

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For K-only, I’ve learned that it’s best to sit in a chair, speak softly and gently. I tell kids how the bear in Wake Me In Spring reminds me of my father, snoring in his big, comfortable chair.

 

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Reading from the first chapter of Bystander. I’ve pretty much got that thing memorized.

 

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This is a grades 3-4 group, where they are extremely enthusiastic about “Scary Tales.” We talk a lot about the creative process here, building a story. The photo on the screen is of a swamp. I’m talking about the setting of one of my stories, one of the basic building blocks of any story: where, who, what; setting, character, plot. For grades 1-2, I tend to center it around Jigsaw Jones and writing from real life.