Let's Talk Pumpkins!

My library's 2nd Book Character Pumpkin Contest is now complete and it was AMAZING!  I love seeing the creativity of the families at my school and I am always glad that I made the decision to not be a judge.  You can see all of the entries here.

Last year I tweeted photos of a Diary of A Wimpy Kid pumpkin and Jeff Kinney sent us a message. I also got some wonderful emails from the author of the Stella Batts series,Courtney Sheinmel, who sent a special package of bookmarks and Stella Batts items to the designer of the pumpkin.  I thought that was cooler than cool.  So this year I made it a mission to tweet as many pictures as possible (if I could find and author or illustrator's Twitter address to match the pumpkin created) or to email the author or illustrator directly with a photo of the pumpkin.  

I was so pleased to be able to share tweets and emails with students from the authors and illustrators of the following books/series:

Lunch Lady series by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (tweet)
"If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" by Laura Numeroff (tweet)
Owly series by Andy Runyon (tweet)
"Ballerina Swan" by Allegra Kent (email from illustrator Emily Arnold McCully)
Melonhead series by Katy Kelly (2 emails from author - 1 for me and 1 for student)
"Where's My Mummy?" by Carolyn Crimi (email from author)

These interactions brought alot of joy to these students.  It helped them to feel like they made a connection to a REAL author and illustrator.  I printed the tweets and emails out and sent them home with the students so they could share them with their families.

Things I learned from doing this:
- Some authors and illustrators are difficult to locate on the web.  Their online presence seems well hidden.  That's a shame.
-Most authors and illustrators are gracious enough to reply in some fashion but, just in case they don't, I did not tell any students that I was reaching out.  I only told them when I had a response.

I'm sick and tired of pumpkins and ready to have my library space back to "normal" ...until next year. :-)

OH, and least I forget, a special shout out to the wonderful Mrs. Larrison who for the 2nd year in a row let me keep her staff entry in the contest.  Her creations are beautiful to behold and certainly make the library look fabulous.  Thanks Sherry!