Elvira Talks About School Visits

    Over the years I've visited hundreds of schools. I've eaten a lot of birthday cupcakes, shaken a lot of little hands and walked down many halls. I've met many classroom rabbits and hamsters, and waved to classroom snakes and iguanas with names like Ziggy and Bowzer. I've laughed over lunches and talked and talked and talked! But I have managed to listen and look as well and what I've witnessed is that kids are as creative as ever. They have a natural ability to communicate. I've heard it in the poems they've read to me and seen it in the pictures they've made.

    My goals when visiting a school are to celebrate these natural abilities that we all are blessed with and to encourage children to make full use of them. My aim is high for each visit. I want to reach all of the students, not just the strong writers and the "gifted". To tell you the truth, I cringe when I hear that label used because it's so limiting. I believe kids have all kinds of gifts and we shouldn't be singling out those few who rise to the top.

    It's my aim when visiting a school to help all of the students recognize just how empowering communicating with words can be. I tell them I don't expect them all to grow up to be published authors. It's a fattening job, any way, what with so much sitting and all the cupcakes.

    But I do hope they'll all come to feel comfortable with language and to use writing to express themselves, whether in their journals, essays, book reports, emails, or in something as simple as a birthday wish written to someone they love.

    During the visit I share my inspiration for many of my books, inspiration which I've found in my neighborhood or across the ocean on a trip to England. I also like to talk about mistakes and how important they are. I share a page from a rewrite and kids are always shocked to see all the mistakes my editor has found! Actually, I'm shocked too when I first see them, but then I force myself to deal with them and discover I've learned something along the way.   

    Here are some wonderful lines of poetry on that subject by Leonard Cohen...

"Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget the perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in."

When the children returned from their inspiring day they worked to create sculptures of their own (above and right) based on Nelly Brown and other characters in the book. Now that's inspired teaching!

Lindbergh Elementary School in Buffalo, New York, is a great example of how a school can pool their talents and energies to create the very best author visit day possible. It was amazing for me to see how the students, teachers, parents, and even lunch ladies worked together!

Elvira Woodruff Visits Lindbergh School

    The Author Visit with Elvira Woodruff on March 15, was a huge success. Ms. Woodruff, the author of twenty-one books for children, has the ability to inspire and motivate young writers. In the presentation for Kgn. -grade 2 students, she used a suitcase full of wacky props to grab the attention of the audience and deliver the message that "we all have creative talent and all we need to do is develop it. Turn off those television sets and turn on your imaginations..," In her presentation to the intermediate grades, Elvira gave an inspirational peek into the creative process of writing a novel. In the smaller workshops in the afternoon, she offered solid information for young writers on characterization, plot, research, rejection, revision and rejoicing.

    The Author Visit Committee at Lindbergh School consists of the library media specialist, parents, teachers, and support staff that work together to make this a meaningful day. The halls, classrooms, cafeteria and library were decorated with artwork done by the students in conjunction with the art teacher and the classroom teachers. The PTA and the staff provided a delicious "Welcome Breakfast". The menu in the cafeteria had a theme based on Elvira's books and the staff dressed up in appropriate costumes. The parents ordered the books and saw to it that they are all autographed and delivered to the students after the visit. This year, over 650 books were ordered. Several students remarked that Author Day is their "favorite day of the year."

    School visits have become a large part of my job and a part that I really enjoy. I think it's important for an author to know her audience and I think it's important for children to discover that authors are real people, people who have doubts about their abilities, people who make mistakes, and people who love sharing their thoughts and feelings through words. 

    I'd like to thank all of the great librarians, teachers, administrators, and PTO mothers who have made me feel so welcome, not only in their schools, but in their homes, as well. Thanks for the many delicious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. And thanks for caring so much about what children are reading, learning, and creating themselves. It does my heart good to think of you all!

Page Last Updated: June 27, 2003