I didn't expect to love them but I do! As the author of mainly adult books, I was a bit nervous when my publisher said that school visits are a great way to get the word out about children's books. I was used to getting reviews and then touring to book stores, and speaking at colleges, to book clubs and other organizations. It was one thing to write a children's book, another thing to talk to kids!

Don't get me wrong. I like kids--I even have a couple of them. But I knew how honest they can be. What if they didn't like my book? Or me?

Since CAT IN THE CITY was published four months ago (in September, 2014), I've done 21 school visits. Most of them have been in the NYC metro area, but Jill Weber the illustrator and I did the Mont Vernon school in New Hampshire and I visited the Northeast Elementary School IN Montclair, NJ. I've also visited schools in Alabama and Pennsylvania via SKYPE.

I'll write more about this experience, but my main impressions so far:

--the teachers who set these visits up have been awesome, truly dedicated to their students and to literature and the process of writing.

--the kids have been receptive, polite and well-prepared. They ask excellent questions and good follow-ups.

--feeling welcome. So many of the schools have gone to so much trouble, preparing welcome posters, writing thank you letters after the visit. While all have been lovely, I have to give special mention to the students and teachers at PS 276, who brought me to tears with the beautiful banners they made for CAT in the CITY.