John was very excited to receive an email from Eric Wight, author of the Frankie Pickle books Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000 and Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom.  Eric was impressed with one of John’s reviews and asked if John was interested in reviewing the Frankie Pickle books.  This was the first email from an author John has received, so after he stopped jumping up and down, he said yes. 

I began an email conversation with Eric and after months of planning we arranged for him to visit John’s school! John attends a Title 1 school (a large percentage of the kids require free or reduced lunch) and many of the children don’t have access to books other than the school library.  So when they heard that a real live author was coming to visit they were thrilled beyond belief!

Eric started off his visit by reading from his newest book, Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000.

Eric then showed the children how he drew Frankie Pickle:

The kids were amazed to see Frankie come to life before their eyes!  They then moved on to the part of the event they enjoyed the most: they got the opportunity to come up with their own Frankie Pickle story!   Eric showed the children the key aspects of a story: the who, what, when, & where. After much discussion, they decided that Frankie would be a runway model, in China, in the winter.  That’s what you get when you ask a bunch of elementary school kids for suggestions :). Eric did an outstanding job of drawing this impromptu scene!

Eric wrapped up the event by answering questions from the children.  They asked him a wide range of questions, from how he came up with the idea for Frankie Pickle to what he liked most about being a writer. 

After the event, Eric had a book signing.  He took the time to speak to each of the twenty-five kids who had purchased a book, writing a personalized statement for each of them in their book. Most of the children were stunned to silence, one child even gave Eric a Pokemon card (a valued possession!).  

Following is a picture of John getting his book signed:

The teachers and children had so much fun! We already have plans for Eric to return next spring to celebrate the release of his third Frankie Pickle book! Thank you so much Eric and Trish from Hooray for Books  (our local indie children’s book store!) for making this event happen!

Following are John’s comments about the visit:

When my mom told me that an author read one of my reviews and wanted me to review his books I was very excited.  I’ve never received an email from an author before!  But then, she told me he was coming to our school.  I was excited and nervous.  I was excited because I was going to be famous! The kids at school were so impressed that I new an author who wrote a real book!  I was nervous because what would happen if I didn’t like the books?  My mom told me not to worry, that Mr. Wight would come visit my school no matter what.  I didn’t have to worry, because I love the books!  I’m reading Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000 right now.  I really enjoy it because I’m in Cub Scouts, and earlier in the year I participated in the pinewood derby!  I don’t want to tell you too much about it, you’ll have to wait for my review! 

My favorite part of Mr. Wight’s visit was part where he drew the story that we came up with.  I wanted to Frankie to be a ninja, but that’s ok.  I also liked when he signed my books! I was nervous because I hadn’t finished them yet.  It takes me a little longer to read books than the other kids in my class.  I was worried Mr. Wight would ask me what I thought of his books. Instead, he asked me what my favorite books were. I froze, and said the first books that came to my mind: Dr. Seuss! Dr. Seuss!?  I think I had that in my mind because Mr. Wight said he was one of his favorite authors.  Anyway, even though I totally embarrased myself, I had a great time and can’t wait for Mr. Wight to come back again!  Stay tuned for my review of Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000!