Past Visits

May 1, 2007

I visited Mrs. Natalie Sanchez’s Kindergarten Class at Idlewild School.  My granddaughter, Kirstyn Hackett is in this class.  They really enjoyed my slides of Flip Flap Floodle.  They were very attentive and I stayed more than an hour.  They asked many good questions.  Why can’t you see both ears on the fox?  Why is the tongue so long?  Why did you use yellow in the fox’s belly and where Flip flew out of the fox’s mouth.some of the pictures.  I told students to reward themselves when they do something over again.  Don’t necessarily wait for someone to reward you.  You might not be waiting a very long time for that.  After my visit, I received a booklet filled with “Thank You” letters beautifully illustrated and written in these students best handwriting.  They told me their favorite characters were Flip Flap Floodle, Mr. Bear, and Mr. Fox.  One of them said they wanted to read Flip Flap Floodle again.  Now that’s what we want to hear.  A child who wants to read again and again!  It’s in their school library.

 

April 24, 2007

I visited Mr. Dan Barber’s 2nd Grade Class.  It was a “back on demand” appearance.  I visited his class last year when my granddaughter, Kylie Hackett, was in his class.  This month Idlewild School is studying “PERSEVERANCE.”  I believe Mr. Barber thought Flip’s story would help teach his students how to persevere.  Flip Flap Floodle never gives up, so he has great perseverance.  The students really enjoyed Flip Flap Floodle.  They enjoyed seeing how I changed the pictures to make them better and better for publication.  They were very attentive and polite. I read the fairy tale stories they had written.  They used a lot of good descriptive words. I told them Kylie used to have everyone in the family act out the story.  With Mr. Barber’s permission, they could do that in the classroom, too. The students want me to come back and read two manuscripts I have ready to send off: “Aunt Sophie’s Biscuits” and “Mack and Mazie.” I told them if Mr. Barber invited me that I would come back.

 

I also visited Mrs. Jennifer Smolias’ 3rd Grade Class at Idlewild School.  My granddaughter, Kylie Hackett is in her class. They liked the way Mrs. Floodle dressed up to go look for Flip.  They kept asking me what was in Mr. Fox’s mouth.  I told them it was his tongue.  They thought he was eating on something when he was hiding behind the trees.  Kylie told them she was one of the ones that didn’t understand what the frogs were.  So I had to redraw them.  I put in the search engine, “How to draw a frog,” and 5 sites came up to help me draw the frogs. They were intrigued that I got so much help from the internet.  They thought the picture of Mr. Bear and Flip Flap Floodle was better with the tan motion lines than with the black.  They also thought it was better when I pulled the extra duck out from in front of the circle.  They thought the bear looked better lightened up.  Mrs. Smolias liked it because I showed them the steps to take…that they didn’t just see the final product.  They got to see that I had to make a lot of changes and rewrites and redraws to get where I liked it.  She also liked it because I told them about using my writing group and listened to their opinions.

Mint Hill Madness, September 29, 30th, October 1, 2006

I was lucky enough to share a booth with Eric and Deneen McSwain.  Many people looked at Flip Flap Floodle.  One lady from a Writing Group in Monroe said she might invite me to visit them in 2007.  I wasn’t there the whole time.  I spent part of the time there and part of the time at home taking care of Mother.  I enjoyed talking with Eric and Deneen and the people who did look at my book.  Here is a “big Thank you” for all who stopped. 

 

September 15, 16, 17, 2006, SCBWI Fall Conference in Durham, NC

I sold two copies of Flip Flap Floodle to people who had purchased a copy of Flip Flap Floodle previously.  When people think enough of your product to buy it again and again, that makes you feel great.  Thank you, Linda Andersen and Judy Aplin for believing in me enough to purchase another copy of Flip Flap Floodle.

 

I also got to read Flip Flap Floodle to the writers and illustrators who were at the Open Mic session on Saturday night, September 16.  Everyone sang and laughed and clapped.  They said I was a great entertainer.  That made me feel good.

 

I learned about the importance of the first sentence and first page of your story.  It must pull the reader in and make him/her want to read more…It must captivate the reader so he/she will not lay the book down until it is finished. 

 

I learned from Joy Acey, “Princess of Poetry,” that creating a manticore poem, one about a monster with the head of one animal,  the body of a another animal, and the tail of a third animal can lift your spirits and make you laugh. 

 

I learned that agents try to match you with the perfect publisher for you and your work.  Tracey Adams, an agent in Charlotte, NC said the secret to getting published is:  Write Submit Write while you wait, Submit, Write while you wait, Submit.

I learned that illustrations and text must blend together as an eyecatching masterpiece.

 

Mint Hill Art in the Park, Sunday August 27, 2006

A good time was had by all.  I met really nice people. I sold two copies of Flip Flap Floodle:  one with a print; the other with a duck.  I met an artist who might want me to give her lessons and help get a book of hers ready for publication.  I read Flip Flap Floodle on stage to children of all ages.  It was a fun afternoon in the park.  The trees shaded us and made the temperature in the 80’s rather than the 90’s.  One vendor sold ice cream.  There were 3 other authors there with their books.  A boy named Josh dressed like a clown and made balloon animals to cheer the children and make them laugh.  His sister, Kayla was sweet and picked up the pieces of any balloon that popped.  There were oil paintings, pottery, decorated plastic cake containers, and jewelry. 

Haywood Book Mania, August 5, 2006 Waynesville, NC

9:00-5:00 p.m. Hundreds of people came by the table I shared with two other writers.  I read Flip Flap Floodle to a great audience who sang Flip’s song with me.  I sold 9 copies and a few ducks and flutes.  I met many really friendly people.  I am able to take charge cards now.  4 people charged their purchase.  

 

Wednesday, June 7, 2006

Hemby Bridge Elementary School, Indian Trail, NC 28079

Brooke Kramb’s 5th Grade

8:00-8:30 Listened to student’s stories they had written and illustrated.  They did a great job of adding suspense to their stories so that you wanted to turn the pages to see what happened next.  Their illustrations were appropriate, colorful, and added to the enjoyment of their stories.

8:30-9:00 I read them my new story of Mack and Mazie, two loggerhead turtles.  I also showed them several draft illustrations.

9:00-9:15 I read them revised version of Aunt Sophie’s Biscuits.

 

Wednesday, November 9, 2005

Black Mountain Public Library Pre-School Story Time

10:15 a.m.

Read Flip Flap Floodle.  Adults and children sang Flip’s song with me. 

 

Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Presbyterian Church Pre-School

Matthew Hyatt’s 2 year old Class and the 3 year old Class.

Read Flip Flap Floodle.  Children sang Flip’s song with me.

 

Friday, November 4, 2005

Joan and Harold Hyatt’s Home

Swannanoa, NC

Children, Grandchildren, and Neighbors

Read Flip Flap Floodle.  Everyone sang Flip’s song with me. 

I read Aunt Sophie’s Biscuits draft of new book.  They wanted the recipe to share.  One child suggested making the recipe in rhyme, too.  One grandson was heard singing the song later.

 

Thursday, November 3, 2005

Black Mountain Primary School

Black Mountain, NC

10:00 – 11:45

Hannah Hyatt’s Headstart Class

4 Kindergarten Classes

Karen ‘s 3rd Grade Classes

Read Flip Flap Floodle.  Children sang Flip’s song with me.

The Headstart class wanted me to read the story again.  One of the teachers read it to the class later.  Children were heard singing the song during the day after I left.

The 3rd Grade Class wanted me to re-read the page where Mr. Fox tells goes away sneezing.

 

 9:00-9:45 a.m.

 Idlewild School

 Charlotte, NC

 

I visited David Barber’s 2nd Grade Class (my granddaughter, Kylie

Hackett’s class). I used my Epson Projector and showed the E-book of Flip Flap Floodle and a power point presentation showing how the illustrations changed from 2001 until the published book in 2004.  The class sang Flip with me.  They agreed that each time I redid my pictures, they got better.  I told them each time they had to rewrite a story, redraw a picture, or redo a chore, they had an opportunity to get better. 

 

I told them not to let anyone talk them out of their dreams to become whatever they want to be.  That is one of their goals as students of Idlewild School.  They laughed with me at the early pictures of Mr. Fox, the rocking chair, and the frogs.  I told them I found websites to help me draw frogs in the pond and Mr. Fox on the bench.  I used a real rocking chair to help me draw it better. 

 

A student asked my when I got interested in writing.  I told him that I had always enjoyed telling stories to anyone who would listen until I was expecting my first child.  That’s when I decided I wanted to get the story published in a book.  That was 1967.  I thought it would really be neat to see my book on the shelf in the library.  I got to see my book in the Union County Library on the shelf.  Two of them were checked out, one was on top of the counter on display,  and the other one was on the shelf.  I didn’t remember to tell them, but I wrote plays in grade school, acted in grade school, and wrote an essay for “I Speak for Democracy” in high school.  I loved getting books and reading them at the library. )   

                                                                                                                                              

 

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

St. Michael’s Anglican Church

Margaret Wallace Road

Charlotte, NC

 

I visited my granddaughter, Kirstyn Hackett’s 4 year old preschool class to read Flip Flap Floodle.  The 3 year olds decided to join us.  It was great.  The children sang Flip’s song with me.  They enjoyed the story.  Some loved it when Flip played his song.  Others liked when Mr. Fox sneezed.  They sneezed really big for him.  I stamped their hands with a red stamp that says, “You are a Star.”

 

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

 8:45-9:30 a.m.

 Hemby Bridge School,

 Indian Trail, NC

 Brooke Kramb’s 5th Grade Class

 

I read Flip Flap Floodle and showed how illustrations changed from start to publication. Students agreed that the early Mr. Fox needed some help himself.  He wouldn’t have scared anyone with my early picture.  I also showed them the first rocking chair that was a little whopsided.  Mrs. Kramb’s class listened intently to my stories.  I explained to them why a self-published book with print-on-demand was more expensive than a traditional publisher.

 

I also read Aunt Sophie’s Biscuits. One boy said, “Aunt Sophie’s Biscuits” was awesome.  One girl asked, “If we write a book, will you come back and read them.”  I told her, “Yes, I would like that.” 

 

I also showed them the beginnings of a picture from Aunt Sophie’s Biscuits and a cargo ship from Mack and Mazie, my story about two loggerhead turtles.

 

Storytime

3:30 PM Thursday, September 8, 2005 Union County Public Library

Main Branch

I appreciate Kay Smith inviting me to come to the main branch of the Union County Public Library. She served great tasting refreshments.  We had 4 children and 4 adults to come.  I was excited.  Beverly was kind enough to wire me up with a microphone and hook up the projector to my laptop to show text and pictures from the book and earlier pictures  on the screen. 

 I had such a good time reading Flip Flap Floodle and sharing the pictures I drew and how they changed from 2001 to publication.  Annie Belle Cherry who is 90 years old came.  I hadn’t seen her in many moons.  I taught school with her at Fairview School in Union County around the years 1967-1975. 

 

Here are two questions that were asked:

1.                    Did you have special art lessons?

     I took art for elementary school teachers in college from 1958-1963.  No other classes.  I like to watch In the Studio with Jon Knowles on Channel 3, Charlotte-Mecklenburg School’s station.  I am using what his programs taught about shadows in my pictures for my next two books. 

2.  How long did it take me to do the pictures for Flip Flap Floodle?

     I drew the first pictures in 1967 using crayon and magic marker so children could discover they could get a book published using everyday items.  When I scanned the pictures into the computer in July 2003, I found out that crayon leaves a lot of white splotches on the paper.  I didn’t think people would pay money to buy a book full of splotches.  So I redid the pictures.  That took me 9 months, almost a year to trace the pictures, paint with watercolor and acrylics and then edit with the computer using Corel’s Painter 8.0 software. I had painted all of them using a landscape setting(wider than long) because I wanted a 10 x 8 book.  The publisher, BookSurge, only printed portrait sized books (taller than wide) 7x10. Some pictures I had to crop.  Other pictures I had to add to the top or the bottom to make them taller.    

 

Sunday, August 28, 2005 from 1:00-6:00 p.m What a great time I had a Sunday Art in the Park on Wilgrove Road in Mint Hill, NC.  I read Flip Flap Floodle two different times for the crowd.  The microphone system was really good.  I sat on stage and had the microphone to the left of me.  The adults and children sang Flip’s song with me when I was reading the story. I sold two copies, and one extra flute.  How cool was that!  Several people told me they wanted to buy one at a later date.  That will be so great. I met many really nice people.  One lady suggested that I could come and read Flip at birthday parties and everyone could purchase and get a signed copy.  I told her, “Wow!  I had thought that would be fun to be invited to a birthday party to read Flip.  I was thinking the parents would buy the birthday boy or girl a copy.  Of course, I would be honored if the other children at the party’s parents wanted to purchase one for them, too. 

My daughters and grandchildren came to for moral support and to hear me read Flip.  It was a fun day filled with sunshine and good company.    A big thank you to my daughter, Lorrie and her husband Kirk for letting me borrow their tent.  Kirk was very kind and came and set the tent up.  My husband, Carl helped me load my boxes into my car. When I got home, he helped me unload my boxes and put them back in my closet.  I appreciate my husband and my family’s help and support. 

I am going to look for hooks to hang pictures, books, flutes, and ducks around the tent.  Some people had lattice work to hang pictures on.  I want to get a board that is shaped like an A that I can put prices and pictures of items on.  I made the prices even dollars to make it simpler for giving change.  I may do that for all of my brochures.  It’s easier to think of it in even money.  I also want to fix up a gift box ready for wrapping that has a book, a flute, a duck, and a framed print.  I may even get a gift bag with pretty yellow paper in it.  Email me your Ideas for Displaying work in and around tent for Art Fairs and Festivals. 

 

11:00 AM Wednesday, August 17, 2005.  I appreciate the children and parents who came to hear Flip Flap Floodle at Home Economist on Independence Blvd. They were good listeners and seemed to enjoy it.  Two boys even dressed as Bat Man to come to hear about Flip.  One little girl was going to play Flip Flap Floodle on her piano.

 

Speaker 6:00 p.m. June 28, 2005 American Business Women’s Association   I am so honored that the Hornet’s Nest Chapter in Charlotte, N.C. invited me to speak about Flip Flap Floodle: From Dream to Reality and to tell about my website.  Thirty people attended.  I showed the pictures on the wall with my projector and read the story to them just like they were children.   Everyone really enjoyed my story.  I sold 4 copies of Flip.  I certainly hope God allows me to be able to do a whole lot more of these presentations because I had such a great time. 

Book Expo New York City June 5, 2005

My book was featured at the BookSurge Booth at Book Expo.  I sent 21 books, 10 flutes, and 11 ducks.  Whitney Pressley from Booksurge said everyone loved Flip Flap Floodle and the books, flutes, and ducks went like Wild Fire to prospective publishers.  Hopefully, a traditional publisher saw Flip, fell in love with him, and will one day offer to re-publish him.  That way more people will be able to read and learn Flip’s story.   

May 13, 2005

Young Author’s Day at Fairview Elementary School, Union County, Monroe, NC

620 Students and Teachers

I taught at Fairview School from 1967-1977.  I told Flip Flap Floodle to many of my students during those years.  It was an honor to be invited to speak.  Many students came up to me and told me I had taught their Mother or Father.  It was fun seeing family resemblances.  26 people purchased books.  I signed them.  Also many people wanted the flute or duck with their books.

There were three groups:

K-1 Compare pictures – Why Redo a Picture or Story  Students wanted to know how I got the pictures in the computer.  I drew them, outlined them with a thin black magic marker, painted them with watercolor or acrylics, then scanned them into the computer.  I used Painter 8.0 to change them in the computer.

2-3 Compare pictures and text –Why Rewrite These students wanted to know what happened to Mr. Floodle.  I think perhaps he could have been away on business,  killed by a hunter, eaten by a fox, or died of natural causes.  I need to decide this before the next encounter with a group.

4-5 Compare pictures and text –Why Rewrite I shared reasons to rewrite.  I also told students not to let anyone keep them from reaching their goals in life.  Never give up.

 

 

Saturday, February 19, 2005 from 1:00-2:00 p.m.  

Booksigning: S.C. Book Festival, Columbia, South Carolina 29201

 

It was a lot of fun.  My cousin, Thurman Bruffey went with me to the Festival.  All of the BookSurge Publishing sales people were anxiously awaiting us.  Katie, Melissa, Penelope, Jamie, Sarah and others from BookSurge made me feel so welcome and important.

At 1:00 p.m. I set up my copies of Flip Flap Floodle along with a framed print, quacking ducks and flutes.  I began to read it to those who were close or  passing by.  Two children in a booth opposite ours were listening intently.  Then a young man, named Justin whose book is being printed next week, came up and asked me if he could read Flip Flap Floodle.  Of course, I said, “Yes.” 

          It was so funny.  Justin read part and adlibbed part.  When he finished, we all clapped.  We were wishing we had a Karioke microphone so people could hear us better.)  One of the representatives gave him a book and asked him to go spread the word about Flip and he did. Thank you, Justin. Then Melissa bought a copy and two flutes to surprise her two boys.  And a lady named Nancy bought two for her grandchildren.  Then I started to read Flip Flap Floodle again.  This time, my cousin, Thurman came up and asked me if he could read it.  Of course, I said, “Yes.”  It was fun.  He read it twice and children were dancing around him listening to the story.  He enjoyed doing it so much that he read it again.  This time, I gave him a chair and told him to sit down so he wouldn’t hurt his back.  He is over 6 feet tall and the children were rather short in comparison. Thank you, Thurman.

           Penelope took books to share with other publishers who said that Flip was very colorful.  These other publishers liked the illustrations and they liked the story, too.  It was a gigantic success.   Thank you to all the children and adults who listened and stopped by to say “hello.”  I give a special thanks to those who purchased my book.  May God bless you! 

12:00 Noon Tuesday, November 30, 2004.  Read story to Laurel Cardinali and her Red Hat Exercising Ladies at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Charlotte at their luncheon.  Laurel does a great job leading the ladies in fun exercises and prayers.  Everyone laughed and enjoyed the story. 

 

11:45 a.m. Friday, November 12, 2004.   Read story to first graders in Ms. Batchelor’s class at Idlewild School. These children were very good listeners.  They loved the story and the song.  I showed them the first pictures I drew with crayon and they noticed all the changes.  They were very observant.

 

10:30 a.m Thursday, November 4, 2004. Branch's Chapel Hill Bookshop
243 South Elliott Rd.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Book Reading and Book Signing –(This bookstore is closed down now.) Even though it was a little drizzling rain, two sweet Mothers brought their little ones to hear Flip Flap Floodle. Thank you sweet ladies. It was fun!  I loved it.

12:00 Noon  Friday, October 22, 2004 Bain Elementary School MusicTeachers.  I read Flip Flap Floodle to Ms. Noreen Hofmann, her student teacher, Lori, and another music teacher from Bain.  They liked Flip.

 

12:00 Noon, Wednesday, October 20, 2004, 3 Year Olds, Open Arms Preschool, St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Charlotte, NC

The children sang Flip’s song with me.   Some children really liked the part where Mr. Fox swallowed Flip.  Their favorite picture was where Flip plays the flute for Grandma in front of the porch with the pond in the background with frogs, fish, and turtles.  I played the flute for them.  It was fun!

12:00 Noon, Monday, October 11, 2004, 2 Year Olds, Open Arms Preschool

St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Charlotte, NC

The children bobbed their heads and bodies in rhythm to Flip’s song.  They wanted to look at all the pictures again.  I played the flute for them.  A few wanted to play the flute, too.

 

12:00 Noon, Wednesday, October 13, 2004, 4 Year Olds, Open Arms Preschool, St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Charlotte, NC

The 4 Year Olds loved the story.  They kept their eyes glued to me the whole time.  They laughed when Flip said his Grandma would be so proud of him and she would say, “That’s my grandson.”  They noticed that the notes were drawn in the foxes belly to show them where Flip was.   I played the flute for them.  They clapped for me.  Perhaps I am getting better at it.  I sold one copy and the lady said she wanted to buy two more for Christmas presents.  I am so honored.

2:30 p.m. Monday, October 4, 2004, Myers Park Traditional School, Charlotte, NC, Mrs. Judy Kinsela’s 1st Grade Class,

Casey Polk, Barbara Walker’s friend’s daughter was in this class.  She slept with Flip Flap Floodle on her belly for almost a month after she heard it.  She had her Mother to play the flute for her.

I read Flip Flap Floodle and had a delightful question and answer session.  They even talked me into playing Flip’s song for them on the flute!

4:00 p.m., September 20, 2004, Barringer After-School Program, Charlotte, NC.

It was fun reading Flip Flap Floodle to the After-School children. They learned that Flip never gave up. They also learned that people may need help doing something.

 

1:50 p.m., September 17, 2004, Idlewild School

I read the fifth graders in Mrs. Caple’s class the first version of Flip Flap Floodle that I typed in 1967.  It had the first illustrations, too.  I also gave them reasons to rewrite. I gave Mrs. Caple 4 handouts to give to students about rewriting and about how I wrote, illustrated, and published Flip Flap Floodle.

 

September 9, 2004   Idlewild School, Charlotte, NC

I stopped by to give an autographed copy of Flip Flap Floodle to Idlewild School.  My granddaughter, Kylie Hackett is in First Grade there.  My daughters, Lorrie and Mollie went to Idlewild School. I was surprised and excited that Ms. Yarborough let me read Flip Flap Floodle to Kylie’s class right away.   The Media Specialist, Ms. Toner let me read it to Ms. Coble’s 5th graders.  I was invited to bring my stack of rewrites and illustration changes to share with these fifth graders Friday, September 17, 2004.  It will surely be fun.

 

September 7-8 Hemby Bridge School, Indian Trail, NC

What a fun time I had reading Flip Flap Floodle to the Kindergarteners and First Graders at Hemby Bridge School!  The children were delightful listeners.  I showed them my early pictures and how I changed them for the final book.  They liked the pictures and loved Flip’s song.

Thank you to Mr. Bill Breckenridge and Mrs. Stebie Thompson, Music Teacher for inviting me and allowing me to come. 

July 30, 2004, Visit with Elementary Music Teachers, Hemby Bridge School, Indian Trail, NC

 

I visited Hemby Bridge School where I used to teach.  Stebie Thompson, the music there invited me to read Flip Flap Floodle to all of the Elementary School Music Teachers from Union County, North Carolina.  It was so much fun! I loved it when they laughed and sang Flip’s song! What a blessing to see old friends and meet so many joyful and talented new friends.  Thank you very much for sharing your valuable time with me.  May God bless you!