The 3rd Annual Read-a-Thon week at elementary is in full swing! The celebration began with a virtual visit from author Jason Reynolds, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Jason read aloud and led a discussion with 2nd-5th grade students on his newest book, Stuntboy, in the Meantime. Other virtual author visits include Kelly Yang, an award-winning author of the New York Times bestseller Front Desk, and Mike Boldt, author and illustrator of the hilarious and fun-filled books Find Fergus and Bad Dog.

Wildwood families got into the festivities with an evening virtual read aloud by Chris Harris, author of the New York Times bestseller I'm Just No Good at Rhyming: And Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups. Everyone was invited to get into PJs, snuggle into a cozy spot, and join our community of readers to listen to the hilarious and witty author read some of his favorite stories and share some of his new poems. There was even some student participation in the poetry-reading silliness.

Back on campus, students and faculty dressed up as their favorite literary characters and shared their book recommendations with fellow students.

“There is something so special about the way literature brings our whole community together,” said Sarah Simon, assistant director of elementary. “From seeing our students walk around campus in their favorite book character costumes, which spilled out over multiple days because they were having so much fun with it, to the thoughtful questions our students asked the visiting authors about their writing process—it's all just magical.”

We are so grateful and appreciative of our wonderful WWPO Literary Events Committee, particularly co-chairs Marika Sung, Sarah Hennelly, and Carrie Friedman Lloyd, who organized the event. Thank you for all of your work leading up to this week and throughout!