Paul Karasik writes:

I am the Development Director for a Charter School that I founded on Martha’s Vineyard with a few friends. Ours is a project-based, K-12 school now in its 15th year.

Our kindergarten teacher read her class Benny and Penny and the response of the five year-olds was so strong that she improvised a comics lesson directly after the reading. This teacher recognizes a teachable moment when she sees one! She was thrilled by the results and what they reinforced to 5 year-olds about sequencing and plotting.

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We recently found a blog post in which the mom of Isaac, a reluctant reader, praised the power of Benny and Penny’s adventures:

There is something about a graphic novel or comic-type book that makes reading seem more enjoyable. I was always a little hesitant to bring home graphic novels from the library for my son, Isaac, because I didn’t want him to get used to reading that way and prefer it. But I found a set of graphic novels perfect for the preschool reader by Toon Books….My son took to Benny and Penny in Just Pretend so much that he had it memorized and basically was able to read it on his own after several read-throughs with me. It was really the first book he conquered on his own. We ended up buying it for him to celebrate.

Coaxing reluctant readers like Isaac into a love of literacy is just what these books and characters are meant to do. Thank you, Isaac’s mom, for sharing your son’s story!

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It’s true: the Bully contest is now underway!

Inspired by Benny and Penny in the Toy Breaker, the Bully contest invites all New York kids in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grades to create their own three-panel comic strip using TOON’s carTOON MAKER (instructions for Comics Lab are located here). Teachers! Additional explanations and cartooning help can be found on our Toy Breaker lesson plan and activity sheet.

Contestants have the chance to win an iPod Touch or complete set of TOON Books (not to mention love and admiration). Submissions may be sent here. Winners will be announced on March 18, 2011 at the Celebration of Teaching & Learning.

Contest starts now; ends January 7th! Let the comic-creating begin!

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Earlier this year, I made my second visit to The Neighborhood School and McKinley School in Manhattan and spoke to first grade, pre-school and kindergarten students.  They had all read the Benny and Penny books with their teachers and came prepared with lots of questions. The questions ranged from, ” How old are Benny and Penny?” to “How do you make the cover?” After I read one of my books, they helped me draw pictures by offering suggestions as I drew. It was a truly delightful experience, and I was inspired by their enthusiasm. This week I was thrilled to receive a packet of drawings and letters from the kids — each and every one was a winner!

Here are the kid’s comments:

I liked when you made the mouse for us — Jake Ryan
I liked the story ’cause everything was good at the ending. — Tenzin
I really liked when they said, “Let’s just play without using Benny and Penny’s toys.” — Kiran
I liked the part when the cousin slided into Benny and the bird flyed away with the map — Ginger
I liked when the bird came and took the map too. — Devion
I liked the part when Bo got stuck in the fence and when they become very nice to each other. — Charley
I liked when benny said to the bird, “Get off that map!” –Joshua

To the wonderful Librarian of McKinley School, Cheryl Wolf for arranging my visit, and the kids: Jake, Tenzin, Kirana, Devion, Charley, Joshua, Tommy, Luke, Lymarie, Evelyn, Candace, Kinnika, Mattie, Laurie, Nat, Eliot, Mikli, Ligia, and Opal who sent me drawings and comments — Thank you all so much! I look forward to returning in the near future.

Geoffrey

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Miss Desiree, the Librarian at Arlington, Virginia’s Columbia Pike Branch Library, made this adorable book video for Benny and Penny in the Big No-No. (You’ll find the link to the Benny and Penny popsicle puppets she used at the bottom of the right hand column.) Hope it inspires you to make (and send me) more of your creations. I love to see my characters come to life in your hands.

Benny and Penny at the Arlington Public Library! from TOON Books on Vimeo.

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Click on the comic above to print it at home and color it. Then be sure to send it in for Benny, Penny and Geoffrey to see!

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I just returned from the ALA convention in Washington, D.C. Although it was not my first ALA, it was the first in which I was such an active participant. From the time I arrived in town until the time I left, I was busy with interviews, book signings, the Newberry/Caldecott banquet, and my own awards ceremony where I received the American Library Association’s 2010 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for being the author of Benny and Penny in the Big No-No, recognized by librarians as “the most distinguished contribution to the body of American children’s literature known as beginning reader books published in the United States during the preceding year.”

Geoffrey and Prof. of Literacy Education Katie Monnin

I was fortunate to have my editor-publisher of TOON books, Françoise Mouly, attend the ceremony along with her husband Art Spiegelman. All of us at TOON Books are very excited since this year we won not one but two Geisel awards. “Little Mouse Gets Ready” by Jeff Smith was chosen as a Geisel Honor book. Jeff couldn’t come, but Françoise was beaming when she accepted the award for him.

Geoffrey Hayes, Francoise Mouly and Geisel Committee

Everyone I talked to was very excited for us as well and said that this was the nicest ALA convention in years. We will publish my acceptance speech on the blog (I’m delighted to say it was very well received…)

Although it is summer and the July 4th weekend is upon us we are back at work planning new titles and arranging signings and speaking events. Check our website to learn about the winner of our huge TOON Sweepstakes. I will be going to their school and donating original art as the Grand Prize!

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Click on the comic above to print it at home and color it.  Then be sure to send it in for Benny, Penny and Geoffrey to see!

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Dear Geoffrey Hayes,

I enjoyed reading The Big No-No! because it was funny.  I learned some things about people who seem mean.  They are not really mean after you get to know them.

Sincerely,

Jaleena

1st Grade Student

Dear Jaleena,

Thank you for your very nice letter.  I’m glad you enjoyed The Big No-No!.

You are right.  Benny and Penny decided that their new neighbor was mean before they even got to know her.  That was the real “no-no.”

I hope you keep reading and writing.

Best wishes,

Geoffrey Hayes

Jaleena, keep up the reading and writing. I love getting mail and I hope you’ll inspire many others to write to me.

And, to all of you: tell me what you think Benny and Penny are saying in our caption contest here!

Hope to read your comments soon,

Geoffrey

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Click on the comic above to print it at home and color it.  Then be sure to send it in for Benny, Penny and Geoffrey to see!

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