I'm probably a little long in the tooth to be publishing my first children's book. But I'm certainly not new to writing! I started writing speeches for top executives and international motivational speakers, as well as dozens of scripts for short films and corporate skits in the mid 1980s. While that kind of writing has it rewards, it doesn't approach the uplifting feeling I get when engaging classrooms of young readers. Seeing their eyes sparkle. Getting serenaded by their unabashed laughter. Learning from their unfiltered and immediate feedback. As a volunteer BookMate, I've been rewarded by all that and more. I started out reading to first graders. Then we started creating story concepts… based on their spontaneous ideas, situations and characters. I even became a recurring character, Mr. Hocklenutty. Seeing the universal eagerness for these home-spun stories, I now take those rough and raw elements and turn them into polished stories - for young readers, by young readers and one not-so-young writer. I hope to soon publish a series written with a variety of first grade classes called "Telling Tales with Mr. Hocklenutty." While this book, "laZy, craZy, & amaZing" was not written with the kids, they were the muses for it. I've field tested "Z" in multiple schools, grades 1-4, and with dozens of adult BookMates who enthusiastically encouraged me to get this book out there! So here it is. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it and presenting it to others. I invite your comments and truly appreciate your support. Steve Hochman, aka Mr. HocklenuttyShameless plug: I also create customized curriculum based computer games for students (of all ages) WITH students. Talk about getting kids engaged in learning! If you're a teacher, please check out the Do And You Will Learn Project at the DoAndYouWillLearn Home Page: www.doandyouwilllearn.com. And our site for building social skills with special needs students www.playreflectconnect.com.