It was a busy three days at the end of February for If I Built a House fans!  Bad weather could not dampen our spirits as IRW headed Downeast with Chris Van Dusen, touring the Rose Gaffey School in Machias, Fort O’Brien School in Machiasport, Jonesport Elementary, and Lubec Consolidated School.  We also squeezed in […]

It may have been a rainy, dreary morning on Deer Isle, but nothing could dampen the spirits of the students at Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School, because they knew a very special guest was paying them a visit: Chris Van Dusen!  Everyone gathered in the fantastic auditorium to hear Chris present on his newest book If […]

Chris Van Dusen, hero to children and parents alike, had an enthusiastic greeting at Pemetic Elementary School in Southwest Harbor on a chilly December 1st Saturday morning.  Chris quipped to the crowd of over 100 people that he could think of a lot of better things to do on a Saturday than come see himself, […]

What a welcome we received when we brought Cynthia Lord to Milbridge Elementary School on November 13th! There were signs, posters, bulletin boards, and even a real live hamster named Hot Rod, in honor of Cynthia’s Hot Rod Hamster books.  The kids were attentive and excited, asking questions, sharing their thoughts about Cynthia’s work, and […]

Chris Van Dusen, beloved children’s author and illustrator of the Mr. Magee series and The Circus Ship, launched his new tour with IRW around his brand new book If I Built a House.  The book focuses on imaginative little Jack, of If I Built a Car fame, who is dreaming up a special house like […]

The students and faculty at Jonesport Elementary School had a door open to poetry like never before!  On November 5th, Paul Janeczko presented on poetry forms to the entire preK-8 student body, sharing the humor and creativity that poetry can offer.  The kids and teachers alike were giggling away at silly senryus and over-the-top acrostics. […]

12 classrooms, 3 schools, 3 days, nearly 150 students in K-2, Phew!  It was ambitious, but IRW was up for the task.  Partnering up with biologist Dr. Karen James from the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, IRW took its pilot K-2 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) program Downeast to Lubec, Machias, and Machiasport. Knowing that […]

Swan’s Island and Frenchboro were in for a rare treat on October 2nd and 4th, and no, it had nothing to do with Halloween!  Island Readers & Writers partnered up with best-selling author Kathryn Lasky and Chewonki’s Traveling Naturalist program to bring together a multi-tiered experience around owls.  Emma Balazs from Chewonki provided background and […]

Imagination was rampant last week at Pemetic Elementary School!  A visit from Scott Nash was an abundant source of inspiration and fun! Hear what the kids that to say about the visit by clicking on the videos below. And view the photos too!

Rebekah Raye, Cynthia Lord, Ashley Bryan On Thursday, August 11, 2011, 117 IRW supporters of all ages gathered for “A Summer Morning in Maine” program and brunch at Cape Farm  in Seal Cove. The setting was stunning with views of Moose and Hardwood Islands and Isle au Haut in the distance.  Folks came by boat […]