See you in Lunenburg

I am reading at the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival on Sunday, August 10 at 1:30. 

It's a 45-minute reading on the kids' stage, featuring some of my favourite Daisy Dreamer comics.

It's a lovely festival, and  this will be my first time behind the microphone instead of in the audience.  Should be a good time. Drop by if you are in the area, and stay for some of the great music later in the day.

Kids n' Comics

Because I write the Daisy Dreamer comic for Chickadee Magazine, I get invited to visit schools throughout Nova Scotia as part of the Writers in the Schools program.

It's fun. I meet readers, talk about writing comics, answer questions, and learn about the comics kids like to read. I also do my best to encourage them as writers, and to give them some tips on writing their own comics.

I was at a school last Friday, and came home to an email from the principal. In part, it said this:

In talking with the teachers after school, they commented on how children who do not normally become involved in conversation/discussion at school became actively involved in your sessions. This was so good to hear!

We are very appreciative of your visit. Thanks again.

I was thrilled. Why? Because comics provide such a great way for kids to get into reading and to express their own creativity. And also because it is so positive for students who may be seen as the difficult ones in a class to get enthusiastic.  I love walking into a classroom and having no idea who the "good" students are and who the "problem" students are.

I'm not trying to ruin comics by saying they're good for you. Just that kids who may be intimidated by other kinds of reading seem less intimidated by picking up a comic.