Thank you to Brittany Nethers, Youth Programs Coordinator at Orange County Library System, for inviting me to partake this past weekend as a guest local author for their Day of the Children: Day of the Books Events. There were book and poetry readings as well as a lot of great entertainment and fun craft projects. I was thrilled to be a part of the event and to have the opportunity to meet some lovely families and introduce them to Virginia-Lee!

The event

Poetry winners reading.

Local author Maria Cox.

Thank you to the generous hospitality of Amy Shultz, head Librarian of Youth Services, and the Cooper Memorial Kids Corner Library Staff for helping to make
the Creative Writing Worshop for Kids a success. We had a wonderful crew of
eager learners aged from Pre-K to 6th grade attend. They wrote and illustrated a story. Take a look at some of their published works here.

Cooper Memorial Library Kids Corner, Clermont, FL.

Storybook time with Virginia-Lee and author, Maria Cox.

Virginia-Lee, Happy Me! and creative writing.

Must have writing and illustrating materials.

Young authors and illustrators at work!

Happy authors and illustrators posing with their finished work, Maria Cox, author of Virginia-Lee, Happy Me! and head librarian of youth services, Amy Shultz.

I was thrilled to have another opportunity to talk about the process of becoming a published author Thursday  - the second time this week! - at the University of Central Florida's Ocala campus with elementary education students during their Happy Hour professional development workshop (for more information on Happy Hour go to: http://education.ucf.edu/happyhour/). The Campus was lovely and the students' welcoming. Thank you to UCF faculty member, Robbie Ergle, and regional staff for generously hosting me.   

Ocala elementary education students with Maria, center. They were a pleasant crew! Best wishes to them in the classroom.

Maria reading "Virginia-Lee, Happy Me!" before the start of her presentation.

Maria signing her book, "Virginia-Lee, Happy Me!"

Pictured is another recipient of "Virginia-Lee, Happy Me!" Thanks to all who will share their new purchase with supervising teachers and students as student teachers and later in their own classrooms.  

Maria and UCF elementary education students at a Happy Hour professional development workshop Monday, where she talked about the process of becoming a published author. A special thanks to UCF faculty member, Liz Hoffman, for hosting.

 

I had a lovely author visit at Treadway Elementary School, Leesburg, FL this past Tuesday. Thank you to Ms. Bass and Ms. Bronson's 3rd grade classes, Mrs. Curry the school librarian, and Mrs. Neeld the school principal for making me feel welcome. A special thanks to Tara Rhone, student teacher, for brilliantly arranging and managing the visit.
 

Maria reading "Virginia-Lee, Happy Me!"

Maria talking about writing and illustrating.

Maria with Tara Rhone, University of Central Florida Leesburg campus elementary education student teacher.

Maria with Mrs. Curry; Librarian extraordinaire!

There was not much foot traffic last weekend in the Children’s Pavilion or at the Dancing Lilies Press booth, but we enjoyed conversation with those that stopped by to check-out Virginia-Lee. We also took the opportunity to network and get to know some great people and organizations. Thanks to my Minneapolis family and friends that came out to support us! 

Dancing Liles Press was at it again last weekend as exhibitors attending Discovering the Joy Conference hosted by the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia. Over 400 early childhood caregivers and educators attended.

So what does Virginia-Lee say in book two, Virginia-Lee, I Can! ? She says, "Be a me that says, I Can!"

The Orlando Public Library hosted me yesterday for a local author meet and greet, book reading and book signing of Virginia-Lee, Happy Me! Thanks to all the lovely families that stopped by and to Brittany and the Children's Library staff for the invite and wonderful hospitality! It was a fun afternoon!

The Children's Library and author read area.

The flyer of my author meet, greet and read.

A captivated audience.

Virginia-Lee was found in the Children's Library!

We had a wonderful time at the UCF Book Festival this past weekend!  It was a pleasure seeing and visiting with so many families. Thank you for your support. We sold a lot of books and had many little visitors happy to see Virginia-Lee!

Maria Cox (Me) at our booth before the event.

My enthusiastic helpers, Mark (brother) and Liz (Sister-in-law). Thank you, guys!

Happy customers posing with the author.

I recently had the pleasure of presenting to pre-service teachers during a professional development workshop called Happy Hour, at the University of Central Florida VCC/Metro West and Leesburg regional campuses. They were gracious hosts and I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my experience with them of the writing, illustrating and publishing process undertaken in creating the book, "Virginia-Lee, Happy Me!"

Check out below me, front and center, with UCF Lessburg students and at book signing after the presentation. My first! Thank you to the stutdets and faculty for a great time!