Last week I visited Sheldon Early Childhood Learning Academy in Houston. The home of the Jaguars is a jewel of a school! Four hundred kids aged 3 to 6 have a campus all their own. The school’s wonderfully creative librarian Augusta Lynch had read THE THREE BEARS’ CHRISTMAS and THE THREE BEARS’ HALLOWEEN to the entire school the week before. Each group arrived wearing colorful bear ears to hear TAKE ME TO YOUR BBQ. I loved seeing the variety of approaches to decorating those ears!

The students were a wonderful audience!

They Yippee-ki-yo’ed with enthusiasm! We pondered whether space aliens really live in Texas, and if not, why these space aliens came to Texas. And whether or not the little green guys liked the Texas heat.

Following the story, the students asked great questions about TAKE ME TO YOUR BBQ and THE THREE BEARS.

“Bears don’t have Christmas. Bears don’t have Halloween. Bears don’t live in houses.” Eye roll, big sigh, shrug. “So are those bears just fake?”

“When I grow up I’m going to be a ballerina.”

“Have you ever seen a space alien?”

All in all it was a wonderful day. Principal, Shereen James, Assistant Principal Delphia Turner, and Librarian Augusta Lynch were wonderful hosts. Conputer teacher Dee McDowel attended to the technical end of things, and music teacher Jamie Teel provided an Aver pen which assured a smooth presentation. Thanks to them all!

Me with librarian Augusta Lynch

 Augusta Lynch, Delphia Turner, Shereen James

The kids and even a school turtle seemed to enjoy the day. I know I did!