While visiting a classroom of second graders I was asked a series of questions. Who is Lorenzo the Bear? Where did he come from? Is he real, or fictional? Will he have more adventures, and stories to tell? All excellent questions, such thinkers these children were! I loved how involved they were, I thought it might be nice to share my visit with all of you.
I was asked by a little boy ‘Who is Lorenzo, did you make him up?’ That is a question I get asked quite a lot and the answer is simple. Lorenzo is
HEY!
If this is a blog about me, can’t I tell them about the classroom visit, and answer the questions?
Of course! You are so right Lorenzo, why didn’t I think of that!?! Ok go ahead the keyboard is all yours!
Thank you! Okay. Who am I you ask? Am I real? YES! I am based off a real stuffed toy my maker Carmela Dutra had when she was a child. When her dad gave her the bear he said he would protect her so she could sleep.
Okay hang on let me tell this part, after all this was before you were borne.
You’re right I think you should tell them.
Like most youngsters I was afraid of the dark, so sleeping was hard for me. My dad told me he had something that would help me, then he handed me a stuffed bear. He assured me that this bear would protect me from whatever it was that troubled me. I loved him so much! I named him the Brave Bear Lorenzo. So between Lorenzo and a trusty nightlight, I was able to sleep again. Thus, when I started writing for my niece and nephew who better to write about then my most beloved stuffed animal!
That hasn’t changed. I’m still that same loveable, brave bear she had as a child. The only difference now, is that I can help all kinds of animals, and people alike through my stories!
I am an outgoing bear who loves to make friends, and meet new animals. I’d like to think that I am the kind of bear that you can always count on. I do not let fear stand in my way when it comes to helping others. But What I really love is visiting classrooms!
It was so much see all of the boys and girls, they were all so excited to see Lucy Bear and myself! They were so excited to hear about my first Adventure to Jellyfish Cove. Carmela even brought in with her a stuffed Lucy Bear for all of the boys and girls to hold and play with, it was a Beartastic time!
After the reading was finished all of the boys and girls started asking questions. One question that was asked more than once was, ‘Will Lorenzo take another adventure somewhere else???’ Why yes I do! My next one will be to Honeysuckle Mountain where I visit Queen Berverlee the Bumble Bee.
But do you want to know what my most favorite part about the visit was??? Come closer to the screen so you can hear me…… Closer…… Closer…… It was when they were told they get to help write a story!!!!!! Oh all of the boys and girls just screamed in excitement! Oh and their ideas! There were some pretty nifty ideas that they had. They were very descriptive of what would happen too. Some told how I would have to face off against Lord Boris again, then some talked about helping lost zebras.
It was the most awesome, Beartastic experience I have ever had! I cannot wait until our next classroom visit.
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Carmela Dutra is a writer, and illustrator of children's books. Everyone dreams about taking adventures, having fun, and saving the day. If you can't take a real life adventure the next best thing is to read one. Carmela takes those dreams and brings them to life in her series The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear. Visit the Website here and find the book on Amazon here!
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You can also read more about Carmela's school visits in the Author Visits post at "A Blog for Your Thoughts"! That's Carmela's blog that we listed for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award! (Little Bear gives it two paws up!)