Fantastic Literacy Fest at Liberty Park Elementary in Greenacres FL
Liberty Park Elementary is a Haven for Readers
This gorgeous library is amazing!
Friendly Librarians Cindy Martinez and Renee Houck
Rachel plays piano for the 5th grade students, parents and teachers
A little fairy dances with Lilly Badilly
The best elementary music teacher ever! Mrs. Judy Christodoulides
Literacy Dog Mack gets a lot of attention!
Last night, I was the visiting author for the Liberty Park Elementary Literacy Night. We had a great time! It was a particularly special event because my daughter, Rachel was able to attend. She is normally at school when I do author visits, so this was a real treat for me and for the students! Rachel played piano for them, and the students got to hear about her involvement with the Lilly Badilly book and all about her love of reading.
We presented our program to 5th graders in the music room, which is an extremely impressive place. The large room is well equipped with a beautiful, well-tuned piano and risers for the choir. Music teacher, Mrs. Christodoulides, is the friendliest, most creative and inspiring music teacher! The students at Liberty Park are so lucky to have the performing arts opportunities they have here.
The students here seemed to know their US geography, which really impressed me. Actually, everything about the school impressed me.
Librarian Renee Houck, has a big beautiful, well-stocked library – one of the largest we have seen at any South Florida school. Kids and their parents were lined up to buy books and celebrate reading. Everything about this school makes children want to learn and read more.
One of the highlights of the event was Mack, the Literacy Dog. Children can read to Mack to help them improve their reading skills. He is specially trained for this program and is one of the most adorable, gentle, loving dogs on earth!
We’d like to thank Mrs. Houck and Mrs. Christodoulides for giving us this opportunity and for their genuine kindness and friendliness. Lilly Badilly loves friendly creatures of all kinds! Thank you Liberty Park Elementary!
To book Mack or one of his friends for your Literacy event
go to havedog.com
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5 comments
Daphne Christensen on February 20, 2009 at 10:37 am
Very awesome photos, Lilly!
Love seeing what you are up to.
Tyler R. Tichelaar on February 21, 2009 at 11:05 am
Great job Lilly and Debbie. Glad you continue to help spread literacy and geography to the next generation. You have no idea the difference it will make in their future!
Renee Houck on February 21, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Thank you so much for bringing your love of reading to the students of Liberty Park Elementary. I loved hearing the kids talk about your book and your daughter’s piano playing! They were so inspired by the story but they also got inspired by her musical ability too!
I’ll definitely be telling other media specialists about your visit as well as your book. Thank you for everything!
Renee Houck
Media Specialist, Liberty Park Elementary
Debbie on February 22, 2009 at 9:27 am
Renee, thanks for your kind words! We love to hear that students were inspired. Our goal is simply to encourage the love of reading, and at your incredible school, I can see that you are doing a fabulous job!
Judy Christodoulides on February 23, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I just want to thank you for coming to our school and sharing with our students your very entertaining and educational book! The Travel Adventures of Lilly P. Badilly is a well thought out educational book, with much detail and wonderful illustrations! It’s great that you are able to teach the students about where Costa Rica is (students need to learn about geography), in addition to all the information like “rhino beetles can carry 850 times their weight on their backs”. The students are learning important information in such a fun way! Your illustrations are terrific and keep the students attention with all the detail on each page! I also enjoyed listening to the CD with all the great voices that you portray when you read the story. The music on the CD matches the story and I am very impressed with your daughter’s musical ability, she is a great composer and wonderful pianist! Your book contains art, music, geography, earth science and a story about being brave! Thanks again for coming to our school and sharing your book, maps (both World and United States maps), your beautifully illustrated pictures (all created by hand), your music and your very educational- yet fun book! Our students and parents were very impressed with your presentation!
Judy Christodoulides (Music Teacher – Liberty Park Elementary, Greenacres, Florida) J