Kenowa Hills — Steve and Nancy Devon, authors and founders of Giving Tree Books, recently visited Alpine Elementary to read stories about puppies going to school for the first time and dogs with disabilities finding their forever homes. And students took home books of their own.
Every school they visit also receives a copy of each book for its library, and teachers get lesson plan materials to tie in with “Tasha Goes to Puppy School” and schools’ social-emotional learning curriculum.
Alpine’s Kent School Services Network coordinator Kim Poplaski said having students hear from authors helps bring books to life.
“Kids are so curious and meeting the author of the books allowed them to learn more about what goes into creating a story,” she said. “Reading is such a huge part of everything we do, not just in school, but in life. Having access to books at the students’ reading level encourages reading outside of school.”
Steve said he wrote “Tasha Goes to Puppy School” after dog-sitting a small, loveable puppy named Tasha “who had the biggest heart.” For his second book, he wanted to reach older students, so he and Nancy co-authored “Milo Finds His Forever Home.”
The upper elementary students were intrigued by the first two chapters Nancy read from Milo’s story. Fifth-grader Milo Ruffin’s eyes got wide and his mouth fell open when he realized the book’s main character was “named after me,” he said.
First-grader Savanna McLouth opened her new book and immediately brought it up to her nose. “It smells good, like a new book,” she said.
Nancy told the students holding their new books, “Read it as much as you want, so you will get better at reading.”
The authors gave 2,000 of their books to West Michigan students last year, and this year plan to give even more.
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