|
|
| PRESENTATIONS |
 |
| I would like to thank the Cayman International School on Grand Cayman Island for the very best school visit I have ever had. The kids were so well-prepared, that it was by far the best visit I have had in 17 countries and 140+ schools. It was fun, exciting, fulfilling and hopefully all those things too for the students. Many thanks to the wonderful teachers who paved the way for me by introducing their students to my books. And thanks too to the admin staff who made me feel welcome and took great care of me throughout my visit. I think Principal Jean Caskey should write a manual on how to get the most from an author's visit for she did a great job in getting everything organized. I was touched by the beautiful welcoming assembly and good-bye show. CIS has set the bar very high for all my future visiting author trips. Thanks for everything. |
| > Go to presentations |
|
|
 |
| "Behind the Books” takes kids through the process of writing and publishing a book. I discuss where my ideas come from, and the necessary process of re-writes. I show a manuscript sent back by my editor, with lines and squiggles and arrows decorating it. There is always a guaranteed sigh of exasperation from the kids, and also an element of relief that even writers don’t get it all right the first time. I also show a strip dummy, galley proof, and the folded and gathered stage. This part of the presentation ends with the final product and a guess from the kids about how long the whole process takes. |
| > Learn more |
|
|
|
|
| BOOK AWARDS |
 The Children’s Africana Book Awards Committee has named Trouble in Timbuktu a 2010 Honor Book for Older Readers. The award will be presented in Washington, DC on November 6, 2010 at the National Museum of African Art.
The Children's Africana Book Awards (CABA) are given under the auspices of the Outreach Council of the African Studies Association, a non-profit corporation founded in 1957 and open to all persons and institutions interested in African affairs. The Outreach Council shares and disseminates resources about Africa; exchanges experiences on best practices in conducting outreach activities; serves the ASA membership in educating the public about Africa; and facilitates the exchange of ideas, information and research findings on Africa. |
| > Go to Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My newest YA novel, called Trouble in Timbuktu, now in bookstores, was an interesting challenge because I find my setting of Timbuktu is as a much a character as the main characters Ahmed and Ayisha. It’s definitely a challenge writing about the Sahara while living in the Caribbean, but fortunately I have detailed journals about my 3 trips to Timbuktu to bring the place alive on the page.
My next book will be Animal Party, a book about group names for different animals. Keep checking my website for more updates.
Order your books today on Amazon.com! |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
| Photo: Cristina presents at the Coral Bay School, now named the Gifft Hill School of St. John. |
|
 |
| Photo: KIDSCARE 3rd grade talent show |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Watch intro video on your mobile, more videos on YouTube and stay connected on Facebook. |
|
|
The ASPCA featured 
