A Literacy Night to Remember

On Friday (2/8/2013) I visited Westview Elementary in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

I spoke with each grade during the day, and in the evening I presented to parents, teachers and students at their 3rd Annual Literacy Night.

Last year’s author was Anna Dewdney who is well known for her “Llama, Llama” books.

I drew a picture of TINY SNAIL for the school (below), and the principal, Margo Williams, plans to have it framed.

PTA President Celeste Ward (left) and Tammy Bronson.

Daniel from Bridge Christian Church.

Members of the Bridge Christian Church set up an elaborate sound and video system for my evening program. Many thanks to them for their cheerful, technical support.

The event was hugely successful due to the efforts of the Westview PTA, particularly Celeste Ward, the PTA President. Many thanks to the PTA, parents, teachers and students who made Friday night a literacy night to remember!

FROM THE WESTVIEW WEBSITE:

“Westview’s third annual Literacy Night was a huge success! Over 300 parents, teachers, and students came together to celebrate reading. We all enjoyed meeting author and illustrator, Tammy Bronson, who wrote the Sea Horse, Run and Tiny Snail books. She was very generous with her time and did a great job reading and drawing for the kids. We learned some great tips from the variety of literacy workshops. We want to thank McDonald’s on Ooltewah-Ringgold Road for the delicious snacks, and READ 20 for the great story. We also want to thank Mac Authority for their workshop, along with all the other teachers who presented. As always, we greatly appreciate the volunteers and teachers who dedicated their time to make the evening possible. We look forward to enjoying Literacy Night next year!”

Book signing after the literacy night presentation. 

Photos From the Ozark Literacy Council Fundraiser

Ozark Literacy Council‘s annual fundraiser, “An Open Book Affair,” took place last Thursday (October 20th) at the Pratt Place Barn on Markham Hill in Fayetteville.

TINY SNAIL & "SEA HORSE, RUN!" at the OLC "Open Book Affair" silent auction, Oct 20th.

My books were part of the silent auction.

POLLIWOG & KALEIDONOTES at OLC's silent auction.

OLC raised over $25,000 at the fundraiser. The money will help the Ozark Literacy Council expand and promote literacy throughout our community (Washington County, Arkansas).

Tammy and Daniel Woodrell

The event also honored Daniel Woodrell, the author of Winter’s Bone.

Bill Harrison and his former student, Tammy Bronson.

The highlight of my evening was reconnecting with my University of Arkansas creative writing instructor, William Harrison. My first creative writing course with Mr. Harrison was in spring 1995 just before I graduated, and my husband and I both took his screenwriting course in the 1997 fall semester. His courses taught me to seek constructive criticism of my work by testing my stories on an objective audience as I work through revisions. Without a doubt the extensive testing and revisions of “Sea Horse, run!” helped shape my latest picture book into an award-winning story.

OLC fundraiser inside Pratt Place Barn.

Connect with Ozark Literacy Council on Facebook or visit their main website to learn how you can donate or volunteer.

Related articles

• Woodrell Follows ‘Winter’s Bone’ With Ozark ‘Outlaw’ (npr.org)
• International Literacy Day 2011 (fremontlibraries.wordpress.com)
• William Neal Harrison on “Dialogue and Movie Narrative”