Jim Aylesworth at the 8th Annual Bill Martin Jr. Symposium

 May 1, 2012 International Reading Association, Chicago Illinois.

After signing at the International Reading Association in Chicago, Jim headed off for Texas where he was scheduled to Keynote the 8th annual Bill Martin Jr. Memorial Symposium.

May 4, 2012  Texas A & M University, Commerce, TX:  Bill Martin Jr. was a respected educator and writer.  He was an editor at Holt, and then a full-time writer.  Among his best known works are his books illustrated by Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?; and the other titles in the series.  His final collaboration with Carle was Baby Bear, Baby Bear What Do You See?  His title Bill Martin Jr.'s Big Book of Poetry was one of his final titles, and a glorious collection of wonderful poems.  Bill Martin, Jr. was born in Kansas, the Kansas State Reading Association honors him by awarding the Bill Martin Jr. award each year.  And his adopted state of Texas (he spent his last 11 years at Woodfrost, near Commerce, Texas) honors him at  Texas A & M University with the Bill Martin Jr. Memorial Symposium.  In 2012, the university sponsored the 8th annual symposium and the keynote speaker was Jim Aylesworth, author of more than 30 children's books.
Just like the books written by Bill Martin Jr., Aylesworth's books were written to be read aloud. They are filled with the things that Jim has learned that children like -- especially rhythm, rhyme and repetition. Some are ABC books, some are fantasies, some are based on folk tales or Mother Goose rhymes, and some are bedtime stories. He was joined by two other outstanding authors who were featured speakers: Alma Flor Ada and Isabel Campoy.

Obviously it is too late to register for the 2012 symposium but their website offers information on the symposium so checking back to http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/ or conducting an Internet search for "Bill Martin Jr. Symposium" will yield information for 2013.  The Ninth Annual BMJ Symposium is scheduled for Friday, May 3, 2013.  For more information visit www.tamuc.edu/BillMartinJr.  Or contact BMj_Symposium@tamuc.edu
 (903-886-5537)

Jim Aylesworth at the Texas A & M Library, Commerce Texas --
During the 8th Annual Bill Martin, Jr. Memorial Symposium, May 4, 2012--
Jim is holding a photograph of Bill Martin, Jr.

Anyone planning a major children's literature conference or just wanting to have an inspiring author visit your school/community for a day with young readers might wish to invite Jim.
Jim Aylesworth is a popular speaker in schools and libraries and brings much inspiration for reading and writing.

If you are interested in inviting Jim Aylesworth to your school or library -- for an author appearance please contact us at McBookwords.  Jim often speaks  in schools with young readers, and at all types of groups that are interested in literacy and  books.

 

McBookwords has a dozen or more authors that speak with young readers.  If you would like to investigate having an author visit your school or library -- for an author appearance please contact us at McBookwords.  Each of these authors often speak  in schools with young readers, and at all types of groups that are interested in literacy and  books.

 smc