Marking Literacy Week

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WINTERSVILLE - Pupils in the Indian Creek School District learned more about two of their favorite authors during the district's annual Literacy Week celebration held last week.

Dan and Judy Greenburg of New York gave a presentation to pupils at Wintersville, Hills and Wayne elementaries.

Judy Greenburg is the author of the scientific series "Andrew Lost." Her husband is the author of the "Zack Files" and "CLAWS," explained his presentation consisted of three parts.

"The first part is a dramatization from my dripping fang series, which is a humor/horror series for younger kids," he said. "Part two involved some writing tips and during part three, I talked about a trip that my wife, son and I took to a tiger ranch in Texas and about how it inspired the children's novel, 'CLAWS.'"

Question and answer sessions followed, a feature that Greenburg said he enjoys.

"That is my favorite part of the whole presentation, getting to hear what the kids have to say, taking their questions and just interacting with them," he said.

The Greenburg's have been doing presentations for more than 12 years and have traveled all over the globe.

"Recently we were invited to speak in Switzerland," he explained. "I really enjoy traveling to these different places, teaching kids about the importance of reading and also interacting with them."

According to Michele Fabbro, Indian Creek Local School District's library coordinator, the pupils were excited to get to meet the faces behind their favorite book.

"The kids were very excited to put a face to a name," she said. "In preparation of the authors' arrival, we got a lot of titles in our libraries for the kids to read. Teachers also read these specific books and developed lesson plans pertaining to these authors."

Literacy Week is sponsored by the Share Time and Read Together Program, which is offered in each elementary school in the district.

"What is great about this event is that it encourages kids to read," Fabbro explained. "Reading is a lifelong skill that the kids can carry with them in whatever they choose to do."

Dan Greenburg has written more than 72 books translated into 24 languages. More information about his books is available by visiting www.dangreenburg.com.

(Looman can be contacted at jlooman@heraldstaronline.com.)