Cozy Cougar Author's Visits
Adrienne Lombard: February 21, 2024
Ofosu Jones-Quartey: December 4, 2023
Spooky Author's Visit for Middle School: October 26, 2023
Author's Visit with Cara Mentzel: Ocotber 5, 2023
Author's Visit with Rex Ogle: September 14, 2023
Author's Visit with Jessica Maison
Jessica worked in film development and as a screenwriter before she started writing sci-fi and horror novels and comics. Her short comics can be found in several anthologies such as Cthulhu is Hard to Spell and Nightmare Theater, and her sci-fi short stories are available on Terraform. Her YA sci-fi series, Plastic Girl, explores her fears and hopes around the climate crisis, and her upcoming graphic novel is a middle grade supernatural adventure involving an alternate Mary Shelley and many misunderstood monsters.
Author's Visit with Rex Ogle
In continued partnership with Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, Arroyo Seco students in grades 4-8 met with author Rex Ogle. He spoke with our students about his latest book, The Supernatural Society: Curse of the Werewolves as well as the amazing other projects he has worked on. Mr. Ogle has had a lot of jobs, including waiting tables, moving boxes, and cleaning toilets, but his favorite job of all is writing books and talking to kids about them!
Author's Visit with Ellie Peterson
In continued partnership with Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, our kindergarten through third grade classes met virtually with Ellie Peterson, author of School is Wherever I Am on Friday, September 16th. Ms. Peterson shared her experiences teaching STEM, her upbringing as a biracial child in a military family, and her adventures in parenting. You can watch a video of the author's visit here.
Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers
Authors Uma Mishra-Newbery, Lina AlHathloul and Illustrator Rebecca Green
Ms. De Luna, Second Grade
Ms. Varga, First Grade
Ms. Bañuelos, First Grade
Ms. Bañuelos, First Grade
Ms. Bañuelos, First Grade
Ms. Bañuelos, First Grade
Ms. Bañuelos, First Grade
Ms. Bañuelos, First Grade
Ms. Bañuelos, First Grade
Dooms Day Camp
Author Joshua Hauke
Jayden, 5th Grade
Natalia, 5th Grade
Kayla, 5th Grade
Melanie P., 5th Grade
Desmond, 4th Grade
Angelyn, 4th Grade
Richie, 5th Grade
Max Brallier
Friday, September 10th
In partnership with Vroman’s Bookstore, students of Arroyo Seco will hear a special presentation by children's author, Max Brallier. On Friday, September 10th, he will present his newest children's title, The Last Kids on Earth & the Doomsday Race.
From Vroman's: With his zombie-controlling powers growing stronger, Jack Sullivan and his buddies are road-tripping toward the mysterious Tower, where they must once and for all stop Rezzoch the Ancient, Destructor of Worlds, from descending upon our dimension. But their journey is sidetracked when they are swept up by the Mallusk, an enormous centipede monster carrying the world's largest shopping mall on its back.
Books are available to purchase online: https://www.vromansbookstore.com/max-brailler-arroyo-seco
Enter the code arroyo at checkout to receive your signed book from the author.
Melissa De La Cruz: June 1, 2021
Movie on 6-4-21 at 10.46 AM.movMelissa de la Cruz Arroyo Seco.pdfBooks are available to purchase online: https://www.vromansbookstore.com/melissa-de-la-cruz-arroyo-secco
Enter the code arroyo at checkout to receive your signed book from the author.
Sherri Duskey Rinker
March 1, 2021
In partnership with Vroman’s Bookstore, the students of Arroyo Seco will hear a special presentation by children's author, Sherri Duskey Rinker. On Monday, March 1st, she will present her newest children's title, It's So Quiet.
From Vroman's: It's time for bed, but one little mouse just can't get to sleep—it's TOO QUIET! However, the night is actually full of sounds, from the croak of the bullfrog to the howl of a coyote on a distant hill. As the rhythmic symphony of nighttime noises build in this rollicking read-aloud, the mouse starts to wonder whether he wouldn't like a little MORE quiet.
Books are available to purchase online: https://www.vromansbookstore.com/sherri-duskey-rinker-arroyo-seco
Enter the code arroyo at checkout to receive your signed book from the author.
Karen Kingsbury and Tyler Russel
March 2, 2021
In partnership with Vroman’s Bookstore, the third through fifth grade students of Arroyo Seco Museum Science Magnet will hear a special presentation by children's authors, Karen Kingsbury & Tyler Russell. On Tuesday, March 2nd, they will present their newest children's title, Never Grow Up.
From Vroman's: When Kari Baxter is assigned an essay about what she wants to be when she grows up, her mind goes blank. She doesn’t want to grow up; she wants everything to stay just like it is. But Kari comes to realize that while making time stand still isn’t possible, she can enjoy every moment with her best family ever.
Books are available to purchase online: https://www.vromansbookstore.com/karen-kinsbury-arroyo-secco
Enter the code arroyo at checkout to receive your signed book from the author.
Stuart Gibbs
March 4, 2021
In partnership with Vroman’s Bookstore, the sixth through eighth grade students of Arroyo Seco Museum Science Magnet will hear a special presentation by young adult author Stuart Gibbs. On Thursday, March 4th, he will present their newest children's title, Charlie Thorn and the Lost City.
From Vroman's: Charlie is ready to take it easy in the Galapagos Islands. That is, until she’s approached by the mysterious Esmeralda Castle, who has a code she knows only Charlie can decipher.In 1835, Charles Darwin diverted his ship’s journey so he could spend ten months in South America on a secret solo expedition. When he returned, he carried a treasure that inspired both awe and terror in his crew. Afterward, it vanished, never to be seen again...
Books are available to purchase online:
https://www.vromansbookstore.com/stuart-gibbs-arroyo-seco
Enter the code arroyo at checkout to receive your signed book from the author.
Ms. Katherine St. John
February 10, 2021
Join us on Wednesday, February 10th as we welcome local author Katherine St. John. Ms. St. John will discuss what it is like to write and publish novels, from researching book settings through travel to getting her novel optioned into a feature film. While Ms. St. John's novels are written for adults, she will share some of her favorite children's and young adult books as well.
Ms. Alison Juarez
November 12, 2020
Join us as we welcome Ms. Alison Juarez, a dance instructor at Arroyo Seco and the author of "Shoe's Off, Mommy?" Ms. Juarez will discuss where she found the inspiration for her story and what it is like to publish a book. Her book tells the story of a young girl's journey to become a professional modern dancer. It will be sure to warm your heart and make you want to wiggle your toes. So, grab your tiny dancers, readers, and authors for our next Cozy Cougar Author's Visit on November 12th.
About the book from Amazon: Ali loves to take her shoes off and go barefoot. No matter the season or even the setting, she feels most free without her shoes. With the support of her mom she discovers modern dance, her true calling, where she can be herself-barefoot and free! This inspiring story will encourage every child to find what makes them feel free. “Shoes Off, Mommy?” will be sure to warm your heart and wiggle your toes.
Mr. Titus Campos
September 30, 2020
Our first Cozy Cougar Author's Visit featured our Community of Schools Administrator and author, Titus Campos. His children’s book, Muffler Man, was a finalist for the Tomas Rivera Children’s Book Award. Mr. Campos provided an inspirational talk with our families about being an author and surely fostered a love of reading in us all!
About the book from Goodreads: Finalist, Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award Chuy Garcia longs to join his father, who is working in the Untied States. To save money for the trip north, Chuy convinces his father's former employer at the local muffler shop to hire him. There, Chuy learns his father is the artist who made the Muffler Man, a metal statue that stands in front of the shop inviting customers inside. Once in the United States with his father. Chuy finds that life is more difficult than expected. Inspired by his father's art, Chuy helps find a way to prosper in their new homeland.