I spent this morning with hundreds of five- to eight-year-olds, talking about rhyming, writing and pockets. My voice is a little hoarse and I could definately use a nap, but am otherwise none the worse for wear.

Really, kids tend to take it easy on us children’s authors.
Often, in fact, I get hugs and little poems and huge beamy grins.

Today, a little boy came running up after our session to show me a drawing.
"I’ve got to show this to you before I give it to my mom!" he said.
It was a self-portrait — the teeth were particularly detailed — and he really wanted to show me.

Made for a pretty swell day.

There were a couple of other high points, too.

A 2nd grade boy’s reaction as I "read" my book aloud without looking at the text:
Don’t tell me you’ve got this whole thing memorized!

A few different ideas on what a school could be a pocket for:
A school is a pocket for kids.
A school is a pocket for learning.
A school is a pocket for mice!

And a little girl’s reaction to my pocket-heavy fishing vest:
It’s like a shirt only useful.

Exactly.
I mean, an ordinary shirt? 
What’s the point?