Author Kate Klise Visits Region 15 Schools

During the week of November 15 to 18, author Kate Klise presented a PTO-sponsored author program at each of the four Region 15 elementary schools.

Much of her presentation was based upon the process of writing, including story development and revision.

Klise is the author of many humorous children’s books and collaborates with her sister, illustrator M. Sarah Klise.

She uses a scrapbook style of writing in most of her chapter books which makes for an interesting way of presenting the story. This style includes letters, memos, notes, and newspaper clippings instead of the usual chapter book format.

"Kate Klise is an enthusiastic and energetic presenter who engaged and empowered the students to write using her formula of 'one, one, one'," said Pomperaug Elementary School Library Media Specialist Mrs. Pat Smith. "Using the students’ ideas and input, she demonstrated how a story needs one character, one problem and one journey with an 'oh no' and an 'ah ha' moment."

According to the Kate Klise and M. Sarah Kline website, Klise’s goal at school visits is to encourage, stimulate, and motivate writers of all ages.

One of her more popular books with the Region 15 elementary school students is "Dying to Meet You," book one in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series. The book is a Connecticut Nutmeg Award nominee for 2011-12.

"Motivated by Klise’s enthusiasm, many of the children wrote their own stories immediately upon returning to their classrooms," said Long Meadow Library Media Specialist Angie Groman. "They also were inspired by her program to create funny character names for their stories."

The school media specialists are pleased that her program tied so well to the students’ writing lessons, including her experiences with editing and revising.

The students at Middlebury Elementary School were impressed by how much work it takes to produce a finished piece of which you can be proud. She showed samples of her writing with most of it crossed out and rewritten.

"Ms. Klise advised the children to divide their age in half to get an idea as to how many rewrites a writer should do," said Jeff Kinnard, MES Library Media Specialist.

Klise also gave the Gainfield Elementary School students good tips for making their stories more interesting and told them how writing can be hard work and, at times, frustrating. 

"Her best advice for writing was to just be quiet and write," said GES Library Media Specialist Heather Messina. "Our students left her presentation eager to put her advice to work on their own stories and excited to read more of her books."

The school Parent-Teacher Organizations help sponsor the Author-Illustrator program. In the spring 2012, author Dr. Michael Sampson is scheduled to visit the schools.