Welcome to the home page of children's author
Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff

Liz and her dog Zoie

                                                    Louise the One and Only

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Laugh along when Louise and her friends change their names, which leaves Mr.
Shelby, the teacher, very confused. Find out what happens when Louise's big
buddy turns out to be Sandra Sneedly - the school's toughest bully!

Wish Magic

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Meg doesn't suspect a thing when her weird brother, Morris, gives her a
doughnut one morning. But soon, she realizes she has special powers -
everything she wishes for comes true!

Help! My Life is Going to the Dogs

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Ever since Rory's dad got downsized, money has been tight around her house.
To make matters worse, the new girl in her class keeps embarrassing Rory. But
when Rory and her friend Eric decide to plan a double-dog birthday party
together, things start looking up. Could the worst year ever turn into the
best year ever?

PROGRAMS AVAILABLE and CURRENT NEWS ~

Writing for Children

 

(Multi-week course appropriate for beginning and experience writers)

Dates: 4 Meetings, Saturdays March 17, 24 and 31 and April 7, 2007  UC Santa Cruz Extension - Cupertino Campus   9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Interested in writing a children’s book? This former one-day workshop, now expanded to 4 Saturday morning sessions, covers the fundamentals of crafting picture books, easy readers and books for a middle-grade audience. Lectures and Q&A sessions will be followed by writing exercises, plus critiques of your own children’s writing projects. Bring two copies of up to five pages of your manuscript to the first class. If you haven’t yet written a manuscript, come prepared to discuss your notes and ideas about creating that manuscript. Students who have taken the course previously are welcome back to enjoy additional writing and critique opportunities. Other topics include:

 

            • Writing action scenes

            • Developing plot and characters

            • Overview of the fiction and nonfiction children’s writing market

            • Research tips

            • Manuscript preparation

            • What publishers are looking for

 

Watch here for further information and enrollment as they become available on the UC Santa Cruz Extension website.

Presentations:
Kindergarten twenty minutes
Grades 1-8 forty-five to sixty minutes
High School and adult sixty minutes

Assemblies:
Tells humorous anecdotes about writing and the publishing world, discusses
writing and literature, reads a story, has question and answer session

Classroom:
Writing Workshops "Writing Secrets," writing lecture, exercise, story game
Drama Workshops Improvisation, reader's theater, play direction

To arrange for a presentation, or for further information,
please contact me at:
lizbooks@aol.com

Among other places, find my books at The Polka Dot Attic in Danville, California owned by my friend Susan Elya.

REVIEWS ~

"Liz Pentacoff's outstanding presentation was filled with enthusiasm which
inspired us all. At this time of literary awareness and the push to get and
keep children reading and writing, an author of her caliber will surely
inspire young minds to read and try their hand at writing."
Pat McDermont
Librarian
Monte Gardens Elementary

"Liz Pentacoff's presentations mirror her writing, for both bring a
consistently new vibrancy to the field of children's literature. Whether
speaking to children or adults, she senses each group's unique needs. These
she then addresses with warm, insightful anecdotes, by reading relevant
passages from her delightful novels, and through interaction with the
audience. In so doing, she weaves a spell that draws listeners into the world
of story."
Beverly Lauderdale
Creative Writing Teacher
Mount Diablo Adult School

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES ~ John Muir and Stickeen: An Alaskan Adventure Louise the One and Only Wish Magic Help! My Life Is Going To The Dogs     JOHN MUIR and STICKEEN: An Alaskan Adventure   Discussion Questions *Where does this story take place? *What are glaciers? *What happened to Stickeen’s paws? What did John do to help him? *Why is it so important that John and Stickeen get off the glaciers before dark? *This is a nonfiction story. What is nonfiction? How is it different from fiction? Activities *Using pantomime, act out the John Muir and Stickeen story as the teacher tells it to you. Use your body, facial expressions, and gestures to show where you are and how you feel. *Draw a picture of your favorite part in the book. *Write a poem about winter weather. *Take a nature walk. How many animals can you name? How many types of flowers and trees? *Tell or write a story about an animal. You can make an adventure, or it could really have happened. You may also illustrate your story. *John has said this was his favorite adventure during his explorations. What has been the most exciting adventure in your life? Write about it!   LOUISE the ONE and ONLY Discussion questions * Louise likes to be the same as everyone, but she also wants to be a little different. How do you want to be like others? How do you want to be different? * Each chapter of this book is a short story. How is a short story different from a novel? * Which chapter is your favorite? Why? * Louise is afraid to do something in Chapter 5. What is she afraid of? How does she overcome her fear? * What can Louise do really well? * There's a mistake on the back cover of the paperback version of Louise the One And Only. After reading the book, discover the mistake! Activities * Draw a picture of Louise, her classmates, and Mr. Shelby being silly. * Choose your favorite holiday. Now write or tell a story about what happens to Louise on that day. Illustrate your Louise story. * What would happen if Louise were in your class? Act out a skit! * Louise's class has a talent show. Now it's your turn. Have a class talent show. Invite your family or another class to watch your performance. WISH MAGIC Discussion questions * How did Morris give Meg Wish Magic? * What are some of the things Meg wished for? * How does the magic complicate her life? * How did Meg get rid of Wish Magic? Who got it? How? (Hint: Use the illustration on page 75 as a clue.) Activities * Wish Magic is written in first person. ("I") Using this viewpoint, write a fictional story. * Write another chapter to the book. What happens next? Illustrate your chapter. * If you had Wish Magic what would you do? * Write a play about your class having magic. How could it get out of control? Act out your play. HELP! MY LIFE IS GOING TO THE DOGS Discussion Questions * What is Rory's problem? How does she come to terms with it? * What are the qualities that make a good friend? How can you be a better friend to others? * The incidents with the two umbrella car and the people eating couch really happened to the author when she was a child. Although they were embarrassing at the time, they're funny now. Discuss a humorous anecdote that has happened to you. Activities * Share a story about a pet you have had. Write and illustrate the incident. If you've never had a pet, write a fictional animal story. * Brainstorm on how your class can help your community. Choose one way or organization to work with and make it a class project for the year. * Write a poem about friendship. * Write your own story using Rory and her friends. What is your story problem? How do you solve it? How does the character change during the story? * Have your class separate into groups to study countries of the world. Present country reports using visual aids. How will your make your country report interesting for the class? * It's party time! Design a party with a theme. Create colorful decorations relating to your theme. Make recipes and plan what you will do during the party. Play games? Listen to music? Have a contest? Remember your theme!