KATZ'S DELI!

If you visit my blog, then you know how much I love all sorts of food.

I've lived in New York City for over 25 years and fortunately my absolute favorite delicatessen is still here!

 

There it is! Mighty Katz's Deli on the Lower East Side, a short walk from my neighborhood.

 

The first thing you must know is to KEEP THE TICKET YOU'RE GIVEN AT THE DOOR! Do not lose it! Even if you don't eat anything, you must give the ticket back on your way out.

Ah! The sights, sounds, and aromas of Katz's. It's usually pretty crowded whenever I come here, but that's okay. There's plenty of seats. You can get table service, or...

You can walk right up to the counter and order your food. Today, I'm ordering a Reuben sandwich (pastrami, Russian dressing, sauerkraut on rye bread) and a knish (pronounced "kin-ish"- it's actually a large square of golden brown potato). While you're waiting for it all to be prepared, you can examine the pickles and pickled tomatoes. 

And there it all is! They even gave me a plate of garlic and half sour pickles to compliment my meal. Notice that my ticket is always in sight.

As I eat my lunch, I look around and just enjoy the atmosphere.

Take a look at this lovely still life, worthy of painting. If you look hard enough, you'll find beauty everywhere.

MORE SCHOOL VISITS!

I LOVE visiting schools!

How incredible is it that I can walk into a school and see a wonderful sign like this!

I'm so happy to see my books on display in the library. Very cool.

And all of the lovely drawings and paintings of characters from my books all over the place.

Mission accomplished! My goal for my book THE FANTASTIC UNDERSEA LIFE OF JACQUES COUSTEAU was to raise awareness of the great Jacques Cousteau in elementary schools students and it looks like it worked!

There can never be too many robots.

Then the best part- hanging out with the students! We have a great time talking about books, animation, and a lot of other things.

And when I see something like this- 

I'm a happy fella.

HELLO MASSAPEQUA NY!

It was great to visit Albany Avenue Elementary in Massapequa NY!

My day started out VERY early. I took the train from Penn Station and felt like a real commuter.

How cool is it to enter a school and this is the first thing you see? I felt welcome immediately!

There was so much great art on the walls.

Okay, time to do a tech check. Isn't show biz glamorous?

I presented in the auditorium, but then I read to the students in the library.

Lunch time! Apparently it was invitation only.

And what a spread! Do you think they ordered enough pizzas? I wonder if they ordered them from Zorgoochi Intergalactic Pizza?

And it wouldn't be a school visit unless I signed a bunch of books.

I felt so honored signing the chair of fame!

I had a little time before my next presentation, so I cruised around the hallways and saw some more art.

And even more art!

Thanks for a wonderful visit!