Ivy and Bean Author Visits PES in June

  The students in Mrs. Debra Fein’s third grade class at Pomperaug Elementary School (PES) will have a June visit from Annie Barrows, the author of the Ivy and Bean series.  In December 2007, the children submitted writing pieces about friendship to the Ivy and Bean Sweepstakes, sponsored by Chronicle Books. 

   PES Media Specialist, Ms. Pat Smith, pointed out the contest to Mrs. Fein. The students read the book and quickly went to work, writing stories about friendship and if they had experienced pre-judging a person who later became a friend.

   “In March, I received a call from the publisher, telling us that Ms. Barrows would like to meet our students on June 4^th,” said Mrs. Fein. “I waited until after the Connecticut Mastery Tests were complete before I told them the exciting news. The children sat in a circle and I gave them each a letter that they worked together to arrange. They finally spelled out ‘Annie’, ‘Barrows’, ‘Ivy & Bean’. Once I told them about her upcoming visit, they were thrilled.”

   In Ivy and Bean Book 1, the two main characters learn not to judge a person until they get to know him or her.  The students made connections to their own relationships in their writing.

   Annie Barrows will talk about being an author and will autograph her books.  The students will prepare for the presentation by reading other books by the writer and composing questions to ask Annie Barrows.

   On her website, Ms. Barrows reflects on her feelings about young friendships. “I see what it means to kids to have friends—or not have them—and I remember that longing for friends in myself, as well as the aimless, unexamined quality of friendship at that age.”

   Because the San Francisco-based author will be visiting some other Connecticut elementary schools as part of the contest, the publisher will not be charging the school or PTO for the visit.

   “Our students feel fortunate to have this great opportunity to meet the writer and excitedly await her visit,” said Mrs. Fein.