Letters and Pictures by San Pablo Third Graders
about
Suddenly the Cat
San Pablo Elementary was the first school I visited with Suddenly the Cat using the slide show with Vivian Harp's photos. Dave Rauscher, the illustrator, was not with me here. I loved these kids, and we had a big group hug and also a dance. Their teacher, Maestra Reynolds, has the most wonderful classroom I have ever seen. She has brought the entire world into those four walls.For other great letters and pictures to Clayton Bess about his other books, go to Letters and Pix from Kids in the Reading Rooms, also Letters and Pictures by Palm Springs Third Graders about "Suddenly the Cat".
I wish I had more room to put all the great letters and pictures these third graders sent me, but here are just a few of my favorites. I want to make a confession: sometimes I took parts of one student's letter and mixed it with parts of another student's letter. This is called poetic license, and good authors can get away with it to make the letters more interesting. Sometimes I corrected spelling and syntax, but not always because sometimes I think the original spelling or syntax is more entertaining.
Dear Bob,
Hi! How are you doing? I'm writing to tell you about what I like! I like how you described your cat Suddenly. I like how you said "purrrfect". I like the picture when Suddenly was wet and she looks like an old lady. I will like to meet Suddenly the Cat. I like your crocodile story but not how it ate the baby hippopotamus. Why didn't you tell us about the sphinx? I still don't know the answer to that riddle. Bye Bob. I love you like if you were my dad. I will look for Clayton Bess books.
Your best friends, Ashley and Justine
Dear Bob, I'm going to tell you how much I loved your story.
My top favorite part of your story was when Suddenly was climbing the ladder for the attic. My second favorite part was when Suddenly dropped the gopher in the mom's bowl. My third favorite part was when Suddenly was on the roof.
My first favorite picture was when Suddenly was wet (funny). My second favorite picture was when Suddenly had kittens (cute). My third favorite picture was when Suddenly was chasing the butterfly.
I really loved your story and thank you for coming.
Love, Esmeralda
Dear Bob,
Hello! Bob I like when you showed the cat. I like when Suddenly was wet. I like when you read the Skippy Jon Jones and you used the chihuahua voice. You were funny.
Your friend, Roberto
Dear Bob,
I liked your story. I have seen books that have your name. I know that you make a funny story. Bob did you love your family? I saw that you wrote that book about what your dad likes to do on the train tracks. How many money do you get for the story you showed us? I like it. It was so funny when the cat got fussy. Bob are you rich or not? Do you like to read books, I do. I got on the email that have to write your name and dad, mom name. How many books do you write each day? I bet five books each day. Do you make sad story? Which games do you like to play of games board? I like Race cars.
Suddenly, Luis
Dear Bob,
Thank you for coming to our classroom and telling us about the lady that had scars on her body. Thank you for telling us about Track story. The story of the crocodile in the big river in Africa was scary, about when it ate the baby hipodmis, it was truth.
Love, Luise
Dear Bob,
I never met a person that wrote a book before when you came to the classroom. I thought you were younger because of your voice. Now I think I want to write books and be an author.
Love, Jeffrey
Dear Bob,
It is very nice for you to write books for kids. so when they read it they're going to enjoy it. I love your books. Maybe you can come over and visit.
The End.
Love, Phillip
I am always fascinated by what captures a young person's mind most out of my presentations. In the picture below, Eduardo chose to show the whole experience: Bob standing in front of the classroom reading from his manuscript and showing slides with a projector, with one of the first slides being Suddenly the Cat up on the roof, the kids in their chairs, the room #13 Just fabulous! Thanks, Eduardo, this is a treasure!
Bob
Contact: Clayton Bess
Copyright © 2009 Robert Locke
All Rights Reserved