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Awestruck! Creative Enterprises: Formed in 2004, Awestruck! programs
are designed to inspire a love of reading, motivate creative writing,
and foster peace building in children.
Principal and Managing Director: Derek Munson
Overview for Media Specialists and Teachers:
Derek Munson offers elementary schools author visits and interactive
student programs that inspire children and stimulate learning though
hands-on projects, group participation, and fun-spiration! His educational
programs support the reading and language arts curriculum by offering
new strategies young readers.
Books:
Enemy Pie
This award-winning children’s book, published by Chronicle
Books, is distributed in five languages worldwide. It teaches a valuable lesson
on dealing with bullies and addresses successful conflict resolution. This
book tells the story of a clever father’s solution to his young son’s
dilemma of engaging a “best enemy” by baking an enemy pie. The
results are best friends and great pie—a sweet lesson in friendship.
Awestruck! Programs:
Programs include the following in half or full day sessions:
• The Enemy Pie Experiment: A lesson in friendship
• Imagination Presentation: A look at some of history’s most creative minds
• The Enemy Pie Presentation: The book’s journey from concept through production
• Creative Writing Adventures: Short creative writing workshops—with a twist
• Peace-Building Programs
• Conflict Resolution Programs
• Teach-the-Teachers Creativity and Harmony in Children Workshop (coming soon!)
Awards:
• 2004 Nevada Young Readers' Award Nomination (Nevada Library Association)
• 2004-2005 Volunteer State Book Award Nominee (Tennessee)
• 2003 Nebraska Golden Sower Children's Choice Book Award Winner, Second Place
• 2003 Peace Education Fund Children's Book Award Winner
• 2003 Missouri Show-Me Award Winner, Second Place
• 2002-2003 Utah Children's Picture Book Award Nominee
• 2003 Children's Choice Book Award Nominee
• 2002 Children's Choices, Picture Book Award Nomination
• 2001-2002 Children’s Choice Award Nominee: New York
• 2001-2002 Children’s Choice Award Nominee: North Carolina
• 2001-2002 Children’s Choice Award Nominee: Maryland
• 2002 Children’s Choice Award Winner: Montana
• FEATURED BOOK: Reading Rainbow - PBS
Book Signings and Events: Check Awestruck!’s “News
and Events” page for upcoming book signings and other events.
Derek Munson’s CHILD Test: With his quest of inspiring the love
of reading and creativity in children, Derek Munson has created a special
formula…
To successfully engage children’s attention, he suggests following
the simple “CHILD Test”™ to ensure the effort sparks
the child’s interest. Does the activity or effort include Creativity,
Honesty, Imagination, and an opportunity for Learning and Discovery?
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Is the activity creative? A child enjoys excitement—something old and tired is not the answer. Instead, deliver the message with a twist. Try taking a book vacation. Kids love vacations and pairing a book with a destination can be fun, educational, and creates a memory everyone can share.
Is the activity honest and does it create an opportunity for humor? Children can spot something phony quicker than anyone can. Choose an activity that not only teaches, but that also speaks their language. And, if it’s not incredibly
exciting, at least keep it light. A room full of children wearing Dr. Seuss’ red and white peaked hats listening to The Cat in the Hat will bring a smile to every child’s face.
Does the activity encourage the child’s imagination and ideas? One of the
wonders of books is that the experience can differ from one child to the next.
Leave plenty of room for allowing the child’s own flight of fantasy. Encourage
them to develop the “art of make believe.”
Is it an opportunity for learning and discovery? Introduce children to the library in your community or school as a place where books “live.” Then, if you do not already have a special place for books at home, let them help create
a home library. This activity ensures that they will learn to respect the value of books and the library will become a source of learning and discovery for a lifetime. |
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