LEWISTON – L/A Arts is sponsoring Maine children’s book author Lynn Plourde for an author-in-residence program for grade three students at Pettingill School until Thursday, Jan. 19.

During a beginning session on Jan. 3, Plourde presented an interactive reading of some of her picture books, “Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud,” “Wild Child” and “Pajama Day.” She led students in a dramatization of a books with students playing parts using simple props.

Plourde has been visiting with students in their classrooms and helping students to write class stories and turn them into plays, then individual stories, including how to get ideas, plan, write and revise. Parents are welcome to attend Plourde’s sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, Jan. 17 and 19. Call Pettingill School for more information at 795-4160.

After 13 years of writing children’s books, Plourde had her first picture book, “Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud,” published in 1997. “Pigs” was illustrated by Caldecott-medalist John Schoenherr and selected as a School Library Journal 1997 Best Book.

In 1999, Plourde had two additional books published: “Moose, Of Course!” illustrated by Jim Sollers and “Wild Child” illustrated by Greg Couch. “Wild Child” was selected as a 1999 Lupine Honor Book by the Maine Library Association and as an American Booksellers Kids Pick of the Lists for one of the best picture books of 1999.

She has written many books since and co-authored a guidebook, “A Celebration of Maine Children’s Books,” with her husband, Paul Knowles. Plourde has worked for 21 years as a Maine public school speech-language therapist and has had 10 educational books for teachers published, including the “Classroom Listening and Speaking” series. Learning activities and bookmarks are available at www.lynnplourde.com.

Plourde is a Skowhegan native and lives in Winthrop with her family.