For the third consecutive year, Grapevine Elementary School (GES) united to read one book together over a four-week period, which concluded on February 2. This year’s One School One Book was “Wedgie & Gizmo,” a story about a guinea pig named Gizmo and a dog named Wedgie.
To include everyone, including emerging readers, audio readings by GES teachers were also available.
“I enjoyed listening to my [former] teachers read to me. It reminded me of when I used to be in their class,” said one third-grade student who selected the audio option.
Parents also got to join in on the fun, as they were encouraged to read the book with their students.
One parent of a fifth grader said, “I had a great time reading it with my student and I even gave the characters voices while we were reading the book together. I’m glad he had fun.”
At the end of each school day GES Principal Nancy Hale would give the students a trivia question to search for the answer in each individual chapter. Students who answered the question correctly were entered into a drawing to receive a prize, like reading the morning announcements.
Erin Wahpekeche, librarian at GES who helped coordinate the event, was inspired by the character Gizmo, and decided to adopt two guinea pigs. Students were able to interact with the guinea pigs while they were on display during their visit to the library.
“One School One Book is an amazing program, and it is so much fun. The parents have enjoyed reading with their children every night and it has given parents a reason to read with them,” said Wahpekeche.