The last few weeks brought an end to my school visits for the year. How lovely to finish this year so close to home ( Read more... )

I loved visiting with the kids at both of these schools!


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I was honored to to be asked to help kick off the summer reading program for Hopewell Public Library. Since the theme is "Make a Splash" this year, my book is a good fit. I hadn't done a program that revolved around this book in ages. Since it's summer and school just ended for the kids, I wanted to make it extra fun. The kids got to see some ( Read more... )

I loved my time at this school in Lanoka Harbor, NJ last week. The kids were great and asked such terrific questions! Getting to see the school library is a thrill for me. As a former librarian, I'm always curious to see it and hear about the program. The librarian, Becky D'Aleo, obviously takes pride in her room. *The library oozed of energy, ( Read more... )

I knew it was going to be a GREAT visit with the first and second graders within seconds of arriving. I had just started setting up when a head poked through the cafeteria divider. "Are you Lisa Mullarkey?" I walked over to the student. "Yep, I am," I said as I put out my hand to shake his. He jumped back in surprise and screamed, "I'm your ( Read more... )

Sometimes I get so engrossed in my visit and spend lots of time talking to kids and staff, that the day is over before you know it. Unfortunately, when that happens, I don't get to walk around much and take pictures. Although I have no pictures of


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Thanks to all the kids and teachers who made my visit to Chelsea Heights School in Atlantic City, NJ so special. I grew up not too far away and some of my high school friends lived in Chelsea Heights. Walking into the school, you get a real sense of family. Want proof?


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I've lived in NJ all my life and thought I've heard of each and every town. Nope! Before I met Betty Carhart, the librarian at Lanoka Harbor School, I hadn't heard a peep about it. Since my visit last month, I've met three people in my area who told me they grew up there. Who knew ( Read more... )

Last year I was contacted by Melissa Arnett, Children’s Librarian in Cape May,NJ, about visiting her area. Her library, thanks to the Culture & Heritage division, pays the honorarium for an author to visit area schools. How cool is that? Outreach at is finest! Lucky for me, she asked me to visit the students at Margaret Mace and St. Ann Regional ( Read more... )

for school visits! Although it was a three hour drive, it was an easy I-did-not-get-lost- drive! Yea!

I visited Nellie Stokes and Simpson Schools. Here's the very enthusiastic media specialist at Stokes, Laura Wright, and her adorable kids that she had visit in the afternoon. What cuties!


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