At both schools, this week is book week and the girls have been enjoying fun activities all week long. Concordia had a childrens’ author and storyteller, Margaret Read MacDonald, in the school all week.

Margaret Read MacDonald is an author of over 55 books. She stories encompass the culture and folklore of countries worldwide. Her lively presentations always involve audience participation though song, chant and movement. MacDonald has a PhD in folklore from Indiana University and has performed across the world.

Wednesday was a full, fun day for the girls. I was a mystery reader in Emersyn’s 4th grade. I read “The Lost and Found” and “The Secret Shortcut” by Mark Teague. Both books are entertaining stories of imagination to keep 4th graders interested.

After finishing at Concordia, I went to Dulwich for parent/library time. Good thing the schools are a block apart. Elle and I had fun reading books and doing library activities of word search and coloring.

After school, Eleri went to a play date with Mahi, Ria and Lili. Emersyn went to library lock-in. Library lock-in is an after school activity done all week by grade level. At library lock-in, the librarian provides fun activities, snack, pizza and books for the children that chose to participate. It cost 300rmb/$45 for lock-in from 3:30pm to 6:30pm. All the money raised is used to buy books for the Yunnan Education Program, the school Concordia has adopted as part of their giving back to the community programs. Emmy took her blanket and pillow to enjoy the story telling. This year, Margaret MacDonald came to library lock-in.

Since Jennifer and I were picking Emmy and Sean up at 6:30pm, we decided to stay for the presentation by Margaret MacDonald at 7:00pm. I picked Elle up from her play date to meet Jennifer and Sophie for dinner at the Blue Frog. It all worked at perfectly. The children were thrilled to hear the presentation by Margaret since she involves the entire audience with her story telling. Elle really enjoyed the presentation, as she had not heard any of the stories, yet. Both Emmy and Elle made it on stage to be part of the story, which made them shine with smiles.

Friday ends book week with a book character parade…at the same time for both schools, of course. I went to Emmy’s parade and Jim went to Elle’s parade. This is Emmy’s last year for book parade as she will be in the middle school next year!

Emmy was Hermione from Harry Potter. No surprise there as she is now on book 6. This was easy as Jennifer provided me with everything but the skirt. Sean was Harry Potter last year. She had the robe made at the fabric market. I borrowed Sean’s white button down shirt and tie…done! The Jenkins moved into Yanlord in December and it sure is nice!

Elle opened the dress-up cupboard and decided on Super Girl. Not really sure that is a book character. I tried to sell her on a fairy from the Rainbow Fairy collections…nope! I think she just wants to run around the school with her cape yelling, “Suuuupppppeeeerrrr Giiiiiirrrrrlllll”.

Eleri pretending to fly – she does make us laugh!

Magic and super powers ready for a fun day at school.

At Emersyn’s school, the parade was in the motor skill room. The children walked across the stage. In between grade parade, vaious teacher groups put on fun performances. Ms. Nurre writes the script and songs for the performances. The theme of the book week for Emmy was Reading Rodeo.

At Eleri’s school, the children have a parade around the front playground/entrance of the school. It was nice that the weather warmed up!

The girls have fun all week at school with Book Week.

Since this is Emersyn’s last book character, I thought it would be fun to pull book characters from the past. Click on the links to see Emersyn’s book characters.

Book Character – 3rd Grade, March 2009

Emersyn missed Book Character Parade for the 2nd Grade as it was late this year and we left school early for Jenna’s wedding in May 2008.

Book Character – 1st Grade, March 2009