WRITE IT!
1. Choose a character from a favorite novel. Is this character an only, oldest, middle, or youngest child, or a twin?
2. List this character's personality traits as you think they relate to birth order.
3. Support your opinions by citing specific actions this character takes.
WRITE MORE!
1. Make a list of the names of people who have encouraged you.
2. Pick the name of one person.
3. Close your eyes for a few minutes and relax. Remember a specific situation when this person encouraged you. Watch the scene in your mind as if it were a movie: Where are you? What is happening? What is the conversation? How does your scene end?
4. When you open your eyes, let the scene drain from your head, down your neck, shoulder and arm, through your hand, out your fingertips and onto your paper SPLAT! Remember every detail you can! Don't worry about spelling or grammar! Don't reread! Don't erase! Keep your hand moving! WRITE FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES WITHOUT STOPPING!
5. Rewrite your SPLAT! Correct spelling and punctuation. Add more details, if you'd like. You've written in living color good for you!
ILLUSTRATE IT!
Use cut paper, crayons, paint, or any other art supplies to create a picture or a series of pictures that illustrate the memory you've written about.
LEARN MORE!
Learn more about how birth order effects personality. Check out these websites:
http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/family/birthorder/index.html
http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,5547,00.html
PRESENTATIONS: BOOKTALK
Anita Riggio is available to give BOOKTALKS about the process she used in developing Smack Dab in the Middle. Anita begins her program by reading the story while showing slides of the illustrations. She continues the slide program, explaining details of writing, manuscript revisions, sketches, dummies, and final art. Following the slides, Anita shows the audience original artifacts from the book, including dummies, drawings, final illustrations, press sheets and f&gs. A lively question-and-answer session concludes the program.
(For K-Grade 1, 30-45 minutes; 2nd Grade to adult, 60-75 minutes.)
For school visits, please direct inquiries to:
Maureen Orrico
Author / Illustrator Programs
240 Turrill Brook Drive
Southbury, CT 06488
Ph:(203) 264-6691
email: Authorprg@aol.com
REVIEWS of Smack Dab in the Middle
"...Rosie is a delightfully spirited character..." School Library Journal,
Sept. 2002
"Rosie Roselli is 'smack dab in the middle' of Riggio's uplifting tale... Riggio's spreads play up the mounting tension with bold black outlines of the characters filled in with a 1950s palette (each character in a shade of chartreuse or mod pink) except for Rosie, who always appears as a white cutout with rosy cheeks and knees...the unusual style of the artwork conveys the family's warmth even through their unwitting negligence. This tale may well comfort youngsters who identify with Rosie's plight." Publishers Weekly, Sept. 3, 2002
"...So roll on, Rosie! The energy of this little twirling character will never be lost, even in a crowd." Book Page, November, 2002
