Long Island Author Visits Tackan Elementary In Nesconset

NESCONSET, NY — Brian Heinz, a children's book author from Long Island, visited Tackan Elementary School in Nesconset on Tuesday, the Smithtown Central School District stated.

Heinz, who has 20 published books, visited several classrooms to put on writer's workshops.

He spoke about the five critical elements of an opening page: character, principal verb, setting, sensory details and a problem.

He suggested the children provide a name of the main character they create. For the principal verb, he said it is important to show the character in the midst of an action. The setting allows the reader to fully visualize the story. Sensory details are used to immerse the reader in the scene. And the main character's problem lets the reader know something is not right in the character's world.

"The students found the workshop very informative and look forward to using it in their writing," the school district wrote.

Heinz's books include "The Great North Woods," "Adirondack Lullaby," "A Coming of Winter in the Adirondacks," "Red Fox at McCloskey's Farm," and more.