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stouffville suntribune saturday june 16 2007 9 author brings food for thought to kids by chris traber staff writer author una powells visits to 100 greater toronto area elementary schools including 18 in york region could be called the food for thought tour officially its called the get smart activity tour but youngsters engaged by ms powell seem to have their creative appetites whetted for more the same appears true for the award- winning childrens book writer whose mission is to entertain inspire and edu cate through the written word ms powells methodology is a mix of books including her popular samanthas sillyicious sandwiches a companion get smart activity book an interactive web site an online magazine and oldfash ioned reading and presentation after delighting an audience of grade 3 students at st michael catholic acad emy in markham the former journal ist and advertising copywriter dropped into a library chair like a performer after a highenergy concert this is school number 93 of 100 she said of the tour which began in february and concludes this month and you know i havent lost my energy once i see the childrens faces i get very enthused i believe in order to inspire and educate children you have to entertain them first sponsored by canada bread which makes the dempsters brand ms pow ell is part of a program to promote lit eracy and nutrition in schools each school hosting her presentations gets 100 subsidized curriculumbased lit eracybuilding activity books the prime message to kids is to have fun and to enjoy full expression whether its writing or making sandwiches the prime message to kids is to have fun and to enjoy full expression whether its writing or making sand wiches she said to parents its that they should promote their childrens selfexpression and encourage them to get involved in their diet during her talks ms powell reads from her book asks children to list ingre dients theyd like to see in sandwiches and carries on spirited conversations based on the childrens experiences she also explains the processes involved in publishing and details the jobs of writ ers editors and publishers she invites them to visit and contrib ute to her online magazine my big fat inspiration the approach and ms powells stage presence seems to be working tina is very dynamic enthusiastic and brings a lot of energy st michael teacherlibrarian deanna lombardi said the students are captivated by what shes teaching i also think its great that shes encouraging young writers while it is work the tour is also a labour of love for ms powell who first became interested in childrens lit when she began reading to her own children in the early 1990s her first book hi i am the new baby speaks to older siblings through the voice of the new arrival telling them what they can and cant do while teach ing empathy and building selfesteem peters poofectpet a book about pets parents and what pets tend to leave on lawns and carpets followed whether the tour will be available next year is undecided in the interim ms powell will continue to publish her online magazine and focus on writing her first childrens novel for information and to access my big fat inspi ration visit wwwbigfatpencom staff photosjoerd witteveen tina powell has toured 18 york region schools promoting her books literacy and selfesteem bereaved families of ontario i york region 8984285 an association of families who have bfoyrbellnetca experienced the death of a loved one yvwwbfoyrebm this message brought to you as a community service of the economist sun reesor farm market strawberries upick now open 9056404568 berry hotline wwwreesorfarmxom 10825 ninth line markham rrys gardens open monday upick farm market ready picked available supervised children welcome located comer of bethesda rd ninth line monri 8amto8pm satsun 8amto5pm 9056401345 callers never have to identify themselves or testify in courfggj cash rewards for anonymous tips that lead to an arrest 1800222tips or wwwcrimesfoppersyrca this message brought to you as a community service of the economistsuntribune i f on june 23 wed like to show you how much having been part of your community for some time weve always enjoyed helping you with your personal and business banking needs whether its mortgage financial planning or investment advice as part of our weeklong celebration putting communities first on june 23 were celebrating our anniversary and youre invited we hope youll join us for refreshments and activities for your whole family better serving you in your community another way rbc puts you first please join us for the celebration saturday june 23 2007 900 am to 300 pm stouffville branch 28 sandiford drive units 1 and 2 stouffville meet the rbc royal bank mascot leo the lion balloons and fun loot bags for kids ice cream and refreshments registered trademarks of royal bank of canada rbc and royal bank are registered trademarks of royal bank of canada used under license v 2005 vanoc under 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