One School's Yearlong Collaboration With a Children's Book Author.

Children's literature writing; Children's books; Educational technology; Teaching methods; Writing; Creative writing

Many students have experienced author visits, but one K–4 elementary school aimed to meet its school improvement goal to motivate writers through a yearlong collaboration with a published children's book author/illustrator, Ryan Hipp. This article details the positive components of the yearlong collaboration that included three in‐person sessions and blog posts. Transcribed observations of the assemblies, readings of the blog, and transcribed pre‐ and poststudy interviews of nine teachers, 36 students, and Hipp revealed that collaboration with him triggered and maintained situational interest. Students were interested in writing and motivated to write because of Hipp's influence, and the constant connection with the author/illustrator helped ensure the success of the collaboration. Teaching implications of author visits are detailed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]