These are just a few excerpts from the countless letters,
pictures, and program reviews
we have gotten from students and staff after our school
visits:
"Your presentations…were a huge success! The students
who attended your sessions speak of you as their personal friend.
Listening to you share your books and your experiences as an author was
great motivation for the students to continue their own reading and writing."
--Beth Phillips, Reading Coordinator, Santa Cruz District
"The Buchanan were tremendous. They would be pleased
and surprised to learn how much they taught our students and how much they
remembered. These authors will never know how many hearts and minds
they touched and inspired. Bring them to school children whenever
possible."
--Teacher, J.F. Kennedy School
"Debby--Our children and teachers enjoyed your visit so
much! Many of the kids came into the library and told me they want
to be writers, too. We can't thank you enough
for sharing your books and your light with our students."
--Mary Tamargo, Guerneville Elementary
"Thank you so much for visiting our school. My students
have been inspired by you.
They are vowing to become better rewriters, which has
always been a struggle to achieve….
My son has enjoyed your books also. He recently
developed a fear of spiders, but your
'Lizards on the Wall' solved the problem for us.
We now have a cardboard lizard on his wall waiting to
eat any
spiders that may happen along.
Thank you!"
--Denise Koser, Edwards-Knox Central School
"The Buchanans are very knowledgeable about the desert
and their personal stories were enjoyable. [They] geared each of
their presentations to each different grade level. My own children
(1st and 6th grade) were discussing the author's visit at home that evening."
--Teacher, Morristown Central School
"I learned that imaginanacachen is real. And it
helps."
--David, Arrowhead Elementary School
"The Buchanans were excellent! They were entertaining
and used very age appropriate materials…. They made some very important
comments about the importance of writing and rewriting!
I would recommend the Buchanans for any age level.
They presented their books in a very interesting manner."
--Teacher, Madill Elementary School
"The Buchanans did a wonderful job of encouraging hard
work & imagination in our students. Their pacing was excellent
& helped to keep the students 'tuned in.' They were involved
even before the Buchanans arrived as we studied desert ecology, compared
and contrasted Native Americans
of the NE and SW, worked on bulletin boards, etc."
--Teacher, Kennedy Elementary
"Last year I was thinking I should become an illustrator
when I grow up and then
after a while I thought I should be something else
until you came and talked to us.
You told us to imagine thoughts and be creative.
That's what changed my mind.
Now I really might be an illustrator when I grow
up."
--excerpts of a letter from Matt Brewer, Edward-Knox
Central School
"Dear Debbie, I enjoyed you coming here and talking
straight from your heart."
--Alissa Wolters, Student, Guerneville Elementary
"As the librarian I felt they were exciting, funny, motivational
and truly involved the kids
in the world of the Southwest and writing."
--Eileen Schiffer, Lisbon Central School
"Thank you for coming and talking with us… You encourage
me
to ritte [write] more."
--Kristy Rovers, Cottonwood Elementary School
"The students appreciated learning about the real working
life of someone from the community and realized authors are hard working,
ordinary people. They certainly
understood that anyone can achieve their dream!"
--Teacher, Madill Elementary School
"Wonderful! They brought their program to the level
of each grade. Their enthusiasm was contagious. They gave an
excellent presentation. The authors did a great job of involving
the children.
Many children are [now] hard at work writing stories."
--Librarian, Morristown Elementary
"Ken & Debby Buchanan were very dynamic speakers.
They kept the students interested and shared interesting information.
[They] impressed upon the students that writing was an
on-going process of rewriting and improving their writing."
--Teacher, Heuvelton Central School
"Fantastic - Inspiring - Down to earth. Many interesting
topics
wrapped up in one."
--Teacher, Kennedy Elementary School
"Kids loved the program! They made the desert come
alive with their tales of what it
was like to actually 'live' the books. Extremely
educational
as well as entertaining. Schedule them again!"
--Teacher, Clifton-Fine Elementary
"Wonderful! Children of the North Country need role-models
like these authors! They were able to see 'just normal' people who
followed their dream, used their talents, and worked hard to obtain their
goals!
The work ethic and process writing used by them is what
we as teachers model every day!
The students were motivated by their talk and commented
about their process of writing."
--Teacher, Heuvelton Central School
Administrative Letter of Recommendation
Learn More About Our Presentations