Brian Cretney: 2008

Glad to have my blog up and running. I hope to semi-regularly post information about my school visits and my journey as a children's author-illustrator. Stay tuned!

On the Road...

Jan. 21 Lincoln Centennial, St. Catharines

Jan. 24 Grapeview Public School, St. Catharines

Jan. 25 Sir Wilfred Laurier, Hamilton

Jan. 26 Welland Library, 2-3:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 Jordan Public School, Jordan

Jan. 29 St. David's School, St. Davids

Feb. 6 Central Public School, Grimsby

Feb.7-11 Conference in New York, NY (SCBWI)

Feb. 25 Courtland Public School, Courtland

Feb. 28 St. Theresa School, St. Catharines

Mar. 3 Princess Elizabeth School, Welland

Mar. 6 Briardale Public School, St. Catharines

Mar. 7 Interview with CKTB Radio

Mar. 16 Cambridge

Apr. 1 E. W. Farr School, Fenwick

Apr. 3 College Street School, Smithville

Apr. 5 Book Signing at E. W. Farr Trade Show, Fenwick

Apr. 8 Orchard Park School, Niagara Falls

Apr. 11 Valley Way Public School, Niagara Falls

Apr. 12 Book Reading, Signing, Chapters (St. Cath.)

Apr. 17 Carleton School, St. Catharines

Apr. 21 Parnall Public School, St. Catharines

Apr. 25 Lincoln Centennial, St. Catharines

Apr. 28 Prince of Wales, Thorold

Apr. 29 St. Ann, St. Catharines

Apr. 30 St. Vincent de Paul, Niagara Falls (a.m.)

Apr. 30 Fort Erie School, Ft. Erie (p.m.)

May 2 Grandview Public School, Dunnville

May 6 Cherrywood Public School, Niagara Falls

May 15 McKay School, Port Colborne

May 20 Hullett Central Public School, Londesboro

May 27 Canadian Martyrs School, St. Catharines

May 28 St. Mark School, St. Catharines

June 4 Dr. Emily Stowe Public School, Courtice (a.m.)

June 4 Courtice North Public School, Courtice (p.m.)

June 16 Maywood Public School, St. Catharines

June 19 Gracefield Public School, St. Catharines

Sept. 17 Wellandport Christian School

Oct. 17 Sherwood Mills Public School, Mississauga

Oct. 23 Woodland Public School, St. Catharines

Nov. 13 W. E. Brown Public School, Wainfleet

Nov. 27 Greendale Public School, Niagara Falls

Dec. 8 Oscar Peterson Public School, Mississauga

Dec. 13 Coles Book Signing

Jan. 15 Meadowvale Public School (my school as a kid!), St. Catharines

Jan. 21 King's Masting Public School, Mississauga

Jan. 23 Jacob Beam Public School, Beamsville

Jan. 27 Applewood Public School, St. Catharines

Feb. 23 Battlefield Public School, Niagara Falls

Feb. 23 Princess Margaret Public School, Niagara Falls

Feb. 25 Munden Park Public School, Mississauga

Feb. 27 Power Glen Public School, St. Catharines

Mar. 11 Ontario Public School, Thorold South

Mar. 13 Niagara Children's Development Centre

Mar. 30 Prince of Wales North, St. Catharines

Apr. 15 Central Public School, Grimsby

Apr. 17 Gainsboro Public School, Gainsboro

Apr. 21 Briarwood Public School, Mississauga

Apr. 23 Willow Glen Public School, Mississauga

Apr. 29 Alexandra Public School, St. Catharines

May 1 Senator Gibson, Beamsville

May 5 Sacred Heart Catholic School, Niagara Falls

SUMMER: WRITING PROJECTS

Jan. 25 Port Weller Public School, St. Catharines

Jan. 26 A. K. Wigg Public School, Fonthill

Jan. 27 Central Public School, Grimsby

Jan. 28 Hewson Public School, Brampton

Feb. 11 Martha Cullimore Public School, Niagara Falls

Mar. 2 St. Peter's School, St. Catharines

Kid of the Month: Karley R. (Jordan Public School)

I was blown away by Karley R. Her class was given the task of extending "Last In Line" by selecting one character who did NOT get the crown and then telling us "the rest of the story" (what happened from that point on).

Here's what Karley came up with. Not surprising, Karly told me that she would like to grow up to be a teacher and author. Read on and you'll see why! She is NOT in high school. She is NOT in Grade 8. She is only in Grade 5!

"After Claire left in a huff,
she went to look through her expensive stuff.
'There must be something in my drawer
to make that king walk out the door.
He must pick me to be the queen;
if he does not then I will scream!'
She searched her closet, top to floor,
she searched and searched and searched some more.
'I found it!' she screamed in sheer delight.
'My dress is totally out of sight!'

She went back to the royal castle;
did her best to find the chapel.
'My king,' she began, 'I have money, rubies and dresses galore
Please pick me instead of that loud-mouth Lenore.'
But the king said, 'No, not now, not ever.
So go back to your house and stay there forever!'

So Claire left again all sad and glum,
She would never go back for that king was dumb.'"

What I really like is Karley's voice. Even though we know the king is NOT dumb, we are able to enter into Claire's thinking about the king. Well done, Karly!

Brian Cretney

Monday, March 17, 2008

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Kid of the Month: Karley R. (Jordan Public School)