Presented by USA PLAYS FOR KIDS!

CONTACT INFORMATION

PROFILE

In a variety of roles, Donna Latham has worked to bring literature alive for kids. Donna holds a B.A. in Communication Arts and an M.A. in Library Science. As a high school drama teacher and director, an elementary school librarian, and a storyteller, she has explored theatre and literature with kids of all ages.

Donna Latham's published plays include Hic!; Indubitably!; Interrogative!; Jumpin' Jehoshaphat!; Kerplunk!; She Who?; and You're Pulling My Leg! All are available through Heuer Publishing, LLC . Part of the Grammar Series, these energetic, humorous plays explore the pleasures and pitfalls of the English language. Who says grappling with grammar has to be a grind?

A member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Donna Latham also writes books for young readers. Her books include Ellen Ochoa: Reach for the Stars!; Fire Dogs; Hurricane! The 1900 Galveston Night of Terror; Space: Surviving in Zero-Gravity; Superfast Rockets; and Superfast Trucks. All are available at amazon.com and bn.com.

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PLAYS AVAILABLE

(All plays from Heuer Publishing can be ordered from their website. Click on link to order.)

INTERROGATIVE!
Heuer Publishing
Ages 8 - adult

10 minutes; Fixed Set; 3 Men, 3 Women, Flexible Cast Gram's ring is missing! Fear not, the Stratfords are on the case. Gramps, decked out as Sherlock Holmes, leads the family in a hunt for clues. Addie the dog activates her sniffer to search the premises. It's not only clues that the family uncovers. They also learn about the four sentence types-declarative, imperative, exclamatory, and interrogative.

Jumpin' Jehoshophat
JUMPIN' JEHOSHAPHAT!
Heuer Publishing
Ages 8 - adult

10 minutes; Fixed Set; 3 Men, 3 Women, Flexible Cast Yikes! When the Stratford family's parrot, Roscoe, escapes from his cage, the family takes off on a humorous and interjection-filled romp after him. Along the way, they discover the pleasures and uses of interjections in language. Wow!

KERPLUNK!
Heuer Publishing
Ages 8 - adult

10 minutes; Fixed Set; 3 Men, 3 Women, Flexible Cast Jewel, Bill, and Addie attempt to prepare a surprise breakfast for Gram and Gramps. Addie "thunks" the eggs and "kerplunks" milk into the bowl. When Jewel heats up a sizzling skillet, she realizes that the room is a-buzz with onomatopoeia - words that imitate sounds. Her explanation of onomatopoeia results in a raucous conga line - and more noises!

SHE WHO?
Heuer Publishing
Ages 8 - adult

10 minutes; Fixed Set; 3 Men, 3 Women, Flexible Cast Gramps searches for his misplaced Egyptian history book. Bill explains, "She asked if she could borrow it, so I gave it to her." However, since there are three "she's" in the family, Gramps is confused. An exchange that parodies Abbott and Costello¡'s classic comedy routine "Who¡;s on First?" results. In the end, Bill learns all about pronouns.

The Boy Who Left Home to Find out About the Shivers
YOU'RE PULLING MY LEG!
Heuer Publishing
Ages 8 - adult

10 minutes; Fixed Set; 3 Men, 4 Women, Flexible Cast The Stratford family is delighted to welcome Rosa, Gram's cousin, who is visiting from Italy. However, by using a series of idioms, including "I laid an egg," "It costs an arm and a leg," and "Grab the bull by the horns," the family manages to thoroughly befuddle their guest.

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LINKS

USA PLAYS FOR KIDS!
is a project of the Drury University Department of Education.

Dramatic Publishing
Tina Lear
ScriptDoctor
Seattle Dramatists

It is supported by

Springfield/Greene County Libraries

Link to or join USA PLAYS FOR KIDS!/Get a Playwright Web Page
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