Last week the kindergartners and second graders enjoyed the Chickadee Award nominee A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea by Michael Ian Black. The book is a persuasive piece that uses ridiculous examples to explain why a pig parade is not a good idea. After the story, the kindergartners glued pre-cut pieces together to make pink pigs. Then they used the pigs to have a parade! The children and their pigs joyfully marched around the library with John Phillips Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” blaring in the background.
The first graders enjoyed a different story: Calvin Can’t Fly: the Story of a Bookworm Birdie by Jennifer Berne. This book is about a starling named 
Calvin who spends his time reading instead of learning to fly. When fall comes, Calvin has to be hauled along by his flock because he can’t fly. In the end, Calvin’s book knowledge saves the day. The first graders pieced together pre-cut starling body parts to create a flock of birds. The added feathers, yarn, and bows help to make each bird unique. The flock of starlings made by Miss Miliano’s class is resting on a telephone wire in the hallway, waiting for spring!
Dear Miss Miliano and first graders,
I adore the mural you created after reading my book CALVIN CAN’T FLY… and if you would email me a photo of the entire long line of starlings I would love to put it on my website.
I was so pleased to come across your wonderful work of art!
Your friend and fellow bookworm,
Jennifer Berne