My Life as a...library teacher was made awesome...

.....by Janet and Jake Tashjian.




They visited my school this week!







Jake has created the stick-figure illustrations for Janet's new series, My Life as a Book, My Life as a Stunt Boy, and My Life as a Cartoonist.

The visit was great!  

Janet and Jake's message is inspirational and engaging.  

Janet and Jake bring important messages about reading and writing. I think it is important for children to hear that not all children feel like readers and to know that there are many ways of reading.  I love that these books are about a person who struggles with reading.  Derek is a character with whom many students can identify.

Janet and Jake also shared"tips for kids who want to be writers and illustrators!"

The students had a fun time guessing the words for some of Jake's illustrations.

In these two days following the visit, both teachers and students have been approaching me to talk about the visit.  The teachers have been sharing how valuable it was.  The students have conveyed the same message, but with different vocabulary.


Janet and Jake gave us a sneak preview of the next two books in the My Life as a...series.  In fact, the students even got a chance to help Janet with some data collection regarding gaming - xbox versus wii, data device versus desktop, Minecraft versus another game.  I loved watching their hands go up and come down along with their expressions as Janet commented and asked more questions.
  

The students had plenty of questions for Janet and Jake.

How do you think of the vocabulary words? 

How long does it take you to complete a book (rough draft and edited draft)? 

Why do you use the phrase, “My Life as” in your book titles? 

What is the easiest and what is the most fun part of the writing process? 

Did working with your son change your writing at all? 

What are some of the ups and downs of being an author? 4MA

How did you come up with the character Umberto in My Life as a Cartoonist? 

What do you like most about writing and creating characters?

We also learned they have a brand new book coming out about a class hamster, a very, very smart class hamster.  We can't wait to get this one on our shelves. Maybe they will be signing that book the next time they visit!

 My favorite messages:

The brain is a muscle exercise it by reading, writing and drawing.

Rewrite! Rewrite! Rewrite!

Find others who like to write and draw.

Thank you Janet and Jake!