Yesterday I went to the Massachusetts Reading Association's annual conference. I was a presenter, and did a workshop with transparancies - my first time using those. I usually do a powerpoint slide show, but I don't have my own projector or laptop. Most schools have them, but not all conferences do. I think I did well, and the audience followed along great and had great questions. Attendance was lower than expected due to the economy and to the MCAS tests which are this week.
I love meeting fellow artists and authors at these events. This time I chatted with friend Brian Lies, met Donna Ciocca, Christopher Bing, Steven Krasner, and Mark Karlins. I saw Jerry and Gloria Jean Pinkney at the Just Desserts event - it's always nice to say hello to them.
I didn't take any photos of the desserts - I wish I had, they were very pretty.
It's always fun going to conferences. Walk into a room and automatically I'm surrounded by people who I have a lot in common: love of children's books. I met new friends and reconnected with old ones. I finally met Louise May, who I worked with on NO MUSH TODAY, and Floyd Cooper, his wife and son were so charming.
