CAROL WEISAuthor
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CAROL WEIS
Author
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As a child, growing up in West Orange, New Jersey, Carol's days were spent playing outside, living the adventures she would write about someday as an adult. She was not a big reader back then and never dreamed of becoming a writer.
After graduating from college, Carol traveled through Europe, Central America and the United States, fulfilling some of her thirst for discovery. She taught in a Title I reading program, performed with a children's theater company, and worked as a professional chef, yearning to fine the artistic form she could wrap her heart around.
It wasn't until her daughter was born that she fell in love with children's literature and poetry. She ran the library at her local elementary school for a number of years, and delighted in reading all her favorite titles to the students. After creating a picture book for a final project while getting her Master's Degree, she started writing children's books.
Being a writer is her most spirited journey so far. Creating characters and directing what they do is both difficult and fun, and without a doubt, the most rewarding of the many adventures she's been on.
With a background in education and acting, she will bring a dynamic to your classroom that will captivate students and teachers alike.
Carol lives with her daughter, Maggie, four zebra fish (John, Paul, George, and Ringo) and one Betta named Yoko, in Western Massachusetts, where she and Maggie penned a memoir about her high school years.
When the Cows Got Loose by Carol Weis (Author), Ard Hoyt (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (July 11, 2006)
ISBN-10: 0689851669 ISBN-13: 978-0689851667 
While Ida Mae's busy daydreaming 'bout how to get famous, her twenty-six cows are busy flying the coop. Now it's up to Ida Mae and her trusty dog Calliope, to rustle up that herd of loitering livestock. 'Cause it's the only after each of those cavorting cows is corralled that Ida Mae can finally get back to the task at hand -- making her own dreams come true.
Carol Weis makes a stellar debut as she joins New York Times bestselling artist Ard Hoyt in a lively tale where one determined girl tracks down twenty-six bovines and discovers the answer to her dreams right outside her own back door.
Editorial Reviews
From Kirkus - STARRED REVIEW Similar in premise to Tres Seymour's Hunting the White Cow (1993), but far from that tale's delicate serenity, this wild romp pits young Ida Mae against no fewer than 26 strayed cattle-each portrayed as a different breed in Hoyt's broadly comic scenes. So where have those bumptious bovines gotten to? Though you'd barely know it from Ida Mae's irritated, country-cadenced commentary, everyone here, two-legged and four-legged, is a circus performer. Ida Mae's "farmhouse" is a rolling Fun House, she gets around atop a zebra, her Mom chops wood by throwing axes and the decidedly loose-jointed livestock have invaded the neighbors' yards to practice wire-walking, chair-balancing and other acrobatic acts. By the end, the errant have been coaxed back to home pastures, and Ida Mae is left in her favorite position-hanging upside down from a tree limb-dreaming of bovines beneath the Big Top. Further proof that cows are funny; young audiences will line up for return admission to this show.
From School Library Journal This unusual tale mixes circus scenery and characters with a familiar barnyard theme. ... The busy illustrations and zany action will have some readers reeling in confusion, while others will be reeling with laughter. ...–Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist Wild, nostalgic illustrations steal the show in this circus tall tale about exceptionally talented cows. .... the expressive mixed-media images, reminiscent of David Small's work, will easily draw interest, giggles, and requests for repeated viewings. Gillian Engberg Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved
From The Oriando Sentinel & The Pittsburgh Tribune ... This debut effort by Weis scores very high marks by way of Hoyt's mixed-media illustrations, which will keep the kids amused with their exuberance and imagination.Reviewed By Nicholas A. Basbanes, August 2006
From the Hampshire Gazette ... is the funniest, most endearing and clever picture book I've read in a while....reviewed by Janice Ripley Beetle
From TCPalm A first book by this author leaves the reader hoping for a sequel about the wild, zany adventures of 26 stray bovines frolicking about.... But let Ida Mae tell you this harebrained, creative tale. It's worth the admission. — Marlowe Arnold
From Early Childhood News ,,, Watercolor, colored pencil, and ink illustrations on a good-sized page for reading aloud, are detailed and show the wacky cows at play. This tall tale is a preschool-pleaser! Shelley Butler
From PlanetEsme: ... A colorful, crazy tall-tale told in folksy read-aloud language. Esme Raji Codell's blog
From the Review Source This book shows unique imagination and creativity from start to finish! Great way to encourage children to be creative and use their imaginations, too! ... Extremely well done Carol, Ard and Simon & Schuster! the Review Source - Children's Books Reviews Copyright Lynda Freeman Last Updated July 3, 2006
FROM MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW ~ Children's Bookwatch, September 2006 Carol Weis' When The Cows Got Loose receives zany and funny drawings by Ard Hoyt as it tells of twenty-six cows who decide to fly the coop as Ida Mae is daydreaming how she'll get famous. Can she rustle them up back home AND make her dreams come true? A very different kind of adventure evolves. James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Diane C. Donovan, Editor Midwest Book Review
From the Monterey Herald LEPRECHAUNS, DUCKS, COWS, TRAINS AND BASEBALL Bob Walch Kids Book Bin. "When the Cows Got Loose" .... illustrates how the barnyard escape of some cows provides the inspiration for a very unusual entertainment venture.
Presentations
SCHOOL VISITS
MEET THE AUTHOR.
Carol reads from her picture book, WHEN THE COWS GOT LOOSE, answers questions about the story and her life as a writer, and then signs books. All ages
THE TALE BEHIND THE STORY: PICTURE BOOKS AND HOW THEY'RE MADE.
Carol will reveal the steps it takes to make a picture book happen - from idea to finished book. Included in this journey are early drafts of WHEN THE COWS GOT LOOSE, preliminary sketches by the illustrator and notes from the editor. Grades 3 and up.
PATTERNS, PATTERNS, EVERYWHERE!! Everywhere you go you see patterns - right in front of you - courtesy of nature - and patterns created by people. With the patterning in her picture book WHEN THE COWS GOT LOOSE as a model, Carol will explore the world of patterns with your class. Grades K to 3.
POEMS HAVE FEELINGS, TOO. From sad, to mad, to downright silly, their poems explode with feelings. Carol will explore the feelings of children and poetry, and get your students on their way to writing poems with feelings, too. Grades 3 and up.
LIBRARY, EVENING EVENTS, and CONFERENCES
PERSISTENCE:
The Path to Publication, or How I Became an Overnight Success in 12 Short Years!
Carol discusses her relentless journey towards getting published, and all the spiritual ramifications involved with the process. She claims if rejection letters were bricks, she could build herself a house. Carol promises to impart enough wisdom to speed up your adventure.
Professional Fees
Fees for school visits range from $225/single presentation; $435/halfday (two presentations); and $650/ full day (three presentations). Travel expenses are added for distances of 40 miles or more. Presentations run about 30 minutes for younger children, and 45 minutes (or so) for older audiences, depending on the group and number of questions. They work best with groups of 30 or less. The author is also available for private readings at birthday parties and/or school vacations, as well as writer-in-residence programs of three to five days. Contact author for fees.
What some people have said:
"Thanks for the terrific presentations!" Pati Mari, Librarian, William E. Norris School
"Cows in the classroom? You and your students will delight in this author's interactive and age-appropriate visit! Adorned with bovine ears and suit, Ms. Weis has enthusiastically 'mooo'-ved years of young audiences through the literary process of writing. Her energy makes this educational experience one that I look forward to more and more!" Sue Teece, 4th grade teacher
".. .In her role as poet-in-residence, I have witnessed her gift for sharing the power of poetry with third, fourth and sixth graders. Her love of poetry, combined with her sensitivity for the students, have made her workshops a successful and rewarding experience for all of us. She is consistently well prepared, organized yet flexible. She adapts her workshops to meet the need, interests and the mood of her participants. She makes a point to interact with every student and demonstrates a personal interest in the work of each individual..." Anne Marie O'Reilly, 3-4 multi-age teacher, Norris School
"...Carol's love of poetry was infectious, as evident in the children's writing attempts. They were eager to write and share their ideas. Carol was able to instill in the students an appreciation for poetry. She made it meaningful for them by drawing on their personal experience...." ShirleyAnop, Cynthia Diemand, Martha Morris, 1 -2 multi-age teachers, Larrabee School
".. .Carol has voluntarily presented poetry workshops in the middle grades. Her talent, expertise, and skill are recognized and valued by our staff...." Norma A. Lewis, Ed.D, Principal
".. .Carol passes on to the school children a passion for reading and writing that you'd be hard pressed to match..." Debra O'Leary, parent
"A wonderfully, engaging performer! Nearly a year after Carol read her fanciful story at our library, my 6-year old could still remember lots of intricate details about "When the Cows Got Loose." - Laurie Sanders, parent and library supporter
"It's great. I like it. I like how she reads it like she was an old Texan folk. It's just really fun!" Lydia Morrison, age 6
Carol Weis
Phone (413) 527-2137
Website http://www.CarolWeis.com 
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