KidsBuzz

Carol Gordon Ekster

Dear Librarians,

I taught 4th grade for 35 years, using picture books to help teach everything! I've always been an avid library user and booklover. But writing was a challenge, so I never expected at the age of 50 to start writing books. I loved sharing my process with students and using their feedback for revisions. My newest book,You Know What? came after retirement. The initial draft became a conversation between Mom and Oliver, who uses the repeated, "You know what?" to postpone his bedtime. But the ending reflects the teacher in me, wanting readers to make a prediction in the last page spread.

It has been an amazing experience publishing with an international publisher (the book out in Dutch first, with a Korean version following) and working as a team with the illustrator.

I'm so excited that my writing gives me another opportunity to communicate with children. I offer free Skype visits to elementary students about the writing process, and to offer inspiration and motivation. Contact me if interested.

For a chance to win a signed copy of YOU KNOW WHAT?, e-mail me at cekster@aol.com. Winners will be selected randomly. I look forward to hearing from you!

Visit www.carolgordonekster.com/book-activities.html for suggestions of follow-up activities you can use with students.

Check out the book trailer that my husband made for me: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcobcitkKZ8

Happy reading,
Carol Gordon Ekster
www.CarolGordonEkster.com