Dear Island Trees School Community,

 

 

On Thursday, December 17, 2009, author Brian Heinz visited Shelley Frumberg’s library classes.    Mr. Heinz is a critically acclaimed writer of nonfiction and fiction books for children.  Brian’s picture book The Monsters’ Test was named as a CBC/IRA Children’s Choice award winner and his work The Wolves was given rave reviews from book editors.  Mr. Heinz’s Nanuk: Lord of the Ice won a silver medal from the Society of Illustrators and Butternut Hollow Pond was named the Outstanding Children’s Science Trade Book by the CBC/IRA and the National Science Teachers Association.   

 

During the visitations, fifth and sixth grade students learned how a book is transformed from raw idea to a finished product.  The pupils in the library classes were fascinated by Mr. Heinz’s use of visuals, manuscripts, sketches, artwork, and layouts to describe how he researches an idea for a future book.  During the presentation, students were treated to exciting stories about Mr. Heinz’s research in the tundra of Canada, the Rocky Mountains, and the Okefenokee Swamp.  The students enjoyed this presentation and were inspired to begin developing their own stories.