Hey, things are looking up in the housing market!

"Hurrah!" Mr. Katydidn't replied, when asked about the current interest rates.

OKAY, actually this guy cannot talk, but it is time to spread some good news instead of all the SKY IS FALLING (shameless plug for one of my books) stuff we are hearing!

A great example of why bullying isn't a good idea... But, friendship is always a GREAT IDEA!

YOU WON'T ALWAYS BE THE BIGGEST DOG IN THE PACK, SO TREAT EACH OTHER THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED!

AND, learn to overcome the differences and you just might find someone completely different from you adds a lot to your life!

This is wisdom from a dog (Jerry from The Tails Tales of Mr. Murphy, another shameless plug brought to by our sponser).

FRIENDSHIP FOR ALL, AND TO ALL NOT ONE FIGHT!

An article from my recent school visit to Dolores, Colorado

I had a blast with the kids and adults and even a very cool Rat Terrier dog while in Dolores, CO. Those small towners sure know how to make one feel welcome! Thanks to all my new friends!

By the way, if you click on the two "pics" it will make them large enough to read the print.

Front page news in Rock Springs, WYO

Along with two car wrecks, Arrest for robbery, information wanted on a female fugitive, woman sentenced for false reporting and a revision of the commissioner's mission statement.

Some guys have all the luck!

When asked about my inspiration to write When I Was A Girl... I Dreamed

I must defer to my very first costume party and ask the question; "What was my mom thinking?" I was just three years old! Some pretty sweet knees though.

Do you have an idea for my upcoming book?

Hello there, I am writing a chapter for the fourth book in the GO ASK MOM series and I am looking for your ideas. I am writing a chapter titled THE GROSS-ERIE STORE, in which the band of boys have a dare-off, in which they choose combinations of foods to have their buddy's eat. An example: A Snickers bar marinated in pickle juice or wrapped in saurkraut.

I am looking for YOUR gross food combination ideas. If you have a good idea, either comment here by clicking the comment link or send your idea to me at justin@justinmatott.com

I hope you are in the middle of a really good book right now, I am in the middle of a really funny book write now...

A principal of a school speaks after my visit.

There’s an old saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.” I heartily agree. On Valentine’s
Day, Justin Matott, author of Ol’ Lady Grizelda, and a whole bunch of other children’s
books, spoke to the students at two different assemblies. Within minutes of Mr. Matott’s
first presentation, he had enthralled his audience. We laughed with him as he described
and mimicked his dogs’ greetings when he came home. When he encouraged us to write
about the things we know, the happenings in our own lives, adult and child alike thought,
“I can do that!” Kindergartners, first and second graders (including teachers) left the
gym feeling better than when they entered because this wise man had given them the gift
of laughter on this special day.

As the third through sixth graders came into the second assembly, I thought Mr. Matott
would simply duplicate his first presentation but gear it toward a little older audience.
Much to my surprise, he began to describe his childhood and how he had been bullied by
his older brother and a big kid at his school. His delivery continued to have everyone in
stitches but his message was powerful. He had always been the “weird” kid, the “geek”,
a target for taunts and beatings. Through his father, he realized he had a gift – he was a
great storyteller. Mr. Matott learned to use his gift to ward off his tormentors. After
several trials, he decided to tell his stories in print and the rest is history.

Believe me, intermediate students can be a tough audience that quickly become bored.
Not so. Laughter and tears swept through the gym as each of us recognized a
part of ourselves in his story. Then to my astonishment, they gave Mr. Matott a five
minute boisterous ovation. I don’t know that I have ever met anyone with such charisma.
Signing books for students and parents, Mr. Matott personalized his messages and again
touched our hearts and souls. Needless to say, we will bring Justin Matott back next
year. Everyone that experienced his interaction with students and staff on Tuesday, came
away with a lightness and positive feeling not always present in our daily lives. We
received a dose of laughter and it healed some of our wounds.

Can you figure out which one is me?

weA friend from back in the day posted this at our reunion site and I thought is was too funny! WOW, I remember almost all of those kids!

If you are considering a visit from me to your school, let a peer tell you why you should...

Since you were here, the kids have not stopped talking about the fun they had that day. The general consensus was that they want you to come back! We had kindergartners who had never written a thing before, writing whole pages about how they want to be authors when they grow up.

One mom at the PTA meeting told me that her kindergartner come home the day of your presentation and told her that she needed to get him up at 4:00 a.m. the next morning. She said that would be fine, but wondered why. He went on to tell her that 4:00 a.m. is the time Justin Matott gets up to have a quiet house in which to write, so he wanted to do the same. The next morning, he set out several stuffed animals on the writing table in front of him, to be like your pets, and started writing! A kindergartner!

I had heard from a lot of the older kids about how you had helped them with writing techniques and had inspired them to write, but a 5 year old who really doesn’t even know how to write yet believed he could thanks to you. It was just a great day all around. We are so glad to have had you here at Meeker.

We were especially happy with the “Anti-Bullying” message that our kids took away as a bonus to the day. To hear first hand what bullying felt like to someone that they had grown to know and care about, left a lasting impression. It forced them to see bullying from the victim’s perspective, something that they try to avoid. I know that the majority of our students will think twice before they allow another bully to have the upper hand...

...We are all looking forward to your future books in the “Go Ask Mom!” series, as well as “The Man in the Woods.”

Thanks again for a great day.

Sincerely,
Karen Z (Librarian at Meeker Elementary School, Greeley, Colorado)