U.S. Writer Kenneth Derby Visits Turkmenistan to Share His Expertise in Writing Children's Books

PAS No 298; September 22, 2010

U.S. children's author Kenneth Derby reads a chapter from his book for students at A.Niyazov School in Ashgabat (US Dept of State)

Ashgabat, September 22, 2010 – U.S. children's author Kenneth Derby will visit Turkmenistan from September 23-29, 2010 to participate in Turkmenistan’s International Book Fair and conduct a series of workshops on writing for children.  He will share his expertise in writing children's books at Turkmenistan's National Library, Magtymguly Turkmen State University and the Mary Pedagogical School named after H. Deryayev.  He will also read a few chapters from his famous novels for children at the National Library, Specialized school #7 in Ashgabat and the Mary Children's Library. 

Kenneth Derby is an educator and author of several children’s books. His popular children’s novels include The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of School (2005, Scholastic, New York, NY), The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade (2004, Holiday House, New York, NY) and The Ghost Memoirs of Robert Falcon Scott (1999, Royal Fireworks Press, Unionville, NY).  In 2005 Derby’s children’s novel The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade received the honor as “Children’s Choices Novel for 2005” by the Children’s Book Council and the International Reading Association.  He regularly publishes children’s stories and methodology articles in such magazines and newspapers as International Schools Services Newslinks, The International Educator and Instructor.

Mr. Derby's teaching career started in 1978 and since then he has worked as a teacher in the United States as well in as in Saudi Arabia and Hungary. He currently teaches fifth-graders at the American International School of Budapest, Hungary.