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National Reading Month with Philip C. Stead

Cross Creek Charter Academy celebrated National Reading Month with a visit from award-winning author, Philip C. Stead.

Philip Stead is the author of the Caldecott Medal winning book “A Sick Day for Amos McGee,” also named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2010 and a Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of 2010, illustrated by his wife, Erin E. Stead

Stead has written and illustrated six books and illustrated over 10 books for other authors. Stead discussed his award-winning book and another book, “Jonathan and His Big Blue Boat” with Cross Creek scholars. He read to classes and explained how the illustrations were made his books.

“Multiple kids mentioned that they enjoyed his talk because it encouraged them to keep trying, no matter how many mistakes you make,” said Jenny Maxwell, library tech aide at Cross Creek. “The kids were also impressed with how much work goes into the illustrations of a children’s picture book.”

He also brought along Frederick, a teddy bear who is featured in many of Stead’s books, and students were thrilled to see and meet the real Frederick.

“Reading Month is important because it turns reading into a celebration!” said Maxwell. “Students who love to read and the ones that don’t all get to participate in the fun. I’d love to think that a few of the students who aren’t big on reading may change their minds after.”

About Cross Creek Charter Academy
Cross Creek Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Byron Center, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.

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