Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers by Ralph Moody (1950) - read about/purchase at Bookshop Santa Cruz

Workshops offered on Thu Feb 22, Fri Feb 23, and Sat Feb 24
Click the REGISTER button and scroll down to see all session options - click here to get on a waitlist

A LitWits® workshop is a hands-on, memorable experience of a great book. Kids read (or listen to) the story before they arrive,* and for three hours we experience it in all kinds of sensory ways. It’s amazing how much kids can learn while they’re “just” having fun!

That's because our straight-from-the-pages props, activities, creative projects, and original academic handouts are planned and integrated to convey key academic information such as theme, narrative arc, character development, historical and geographical contexts, vocabulary, writing skills, and more. There’s no pressure to perform or participate – we want to inspire your kids to read more great books!

“LitWits is motivating, educational, and inspirational. Your workshops have shown my son that exploring the world of literature and writing can be fun. I can’t thank you enough.”

Ages: Each workshop is offered for two age groups, on your choice of available days. The content will be exactly the same in both groups, and both will get to do creative writing. The differences are:

7+ (9am-12pm)

• slower pace, more thorough project directions
• thorough discussion of all handout information
• more time for projects and creative writing, with one-on-one help as needed
• age-appropriate expectations for efforts and participation
• appropriate peer setting

10+ (1pm-4pm)

• faster pace, less detailed project directions
• emphasis on thoughtful, thorough responses on all handouts
• more time for deeper, age-appropriate discussions and creative writing
• age-appropriate expectations for efforts and participation
• appropriate peer setting

If this age division separates siblings who would prefer to be together, or if it better suits your schedule to have them in a single workshop, 10+ kids are welcome to attend the 7+ workshops, but not the other way around.

Cost: The $70 cost of each 3-hour workshop includes all supplies and a no-nuts, book-related snack. LitWits Workshops is an approved vendor for Ocean Grove Charter School and Inspire Charter Schools. OG & IC parents, please register online to reserve a seat, then request a purchase order or enrichment certificate right away, or as soon as semester funds are available.

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel at least 30 days before the workshop, you can choose a refund or makeup. (Use promo code MAKEUP to re-register, and please remind us, in the Notes field, which workshop you missed.) If you cancel within 30 days of the workshop, you'll have a makeup coming. There are no refunds for no-shows. We hope that makes sense and seems fair!

*Abridged and audio versions are perfectly acceptable; movie versions are not, because images replace a child's visualization, and words are reduced to dialogue. Our workshops aren't just about the story, but about how the author's craft skills affect thought, character, and imagination.