Young Culver students visit with the author and get a close-up look at Gilbert the Goblin, the main character in Alex Willan’s new children’s book, “Valentines Are the Worst!”
Chicago-based children’s author and illustrator Alex Willan made a timely appearance this month at Culver School to discuss his latest book, “Valentines Are the Worst!”
Willan spoke during the day to students in grades K through 2, and then again in the evening to members of the entire school community. In addition to hearing him read his new book, students got the chance to “draw along” with Willan, creator of the Worst! series.
By all accounts, the visit was a hit. "When I picked up my students from PE after the visit, they all told me how much fun they had drawing Gilbert!” said Kindergarten teacher Kayla Grochecki. “They asked me if he would return again to read another story."
Simona Masini, Discovery Reading/ELA enrichment teacher, said, “The students were so excited to show off their drawings and to tell me all about Alex Willen's visit. They keep asking me to read ‘Valentines are the Worst!’ to them, even though they've read it several times!”
All week, K-2 students were excited to meet Alex, said Culver Principal Erica Smolinski. Their teachers read the Valentine book in class, so the students were very familiar with the story. “There was a lot of exciting choral reading,” she added.
During the day, students had the chance to draw Gilbert the Goblin, the main character in the series, and proudly show their work to the author. In the evening, more than 100 family members attended, dressed in red, pink and purple. They enjoyed storytelling, drawing, game-playing, pizza and Valentine treats.
At the event, the Culver PTA hosted a table of giveaways, games, and activities, while representative from the Winnetka-based Book Stall sold Willan's books. He personalized, drew a character in, and autographed each book sold.
Smolinski observed, “There were so many smiles, and our hearts are still full after such a lovely day.”