Book to show kids fun in sun
By Colleen Wixon staff writer
May 15, 2004
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — In a few weeks, parents are going
to start hearing their children repeat that summer catch phrase, "I'm
bored."
But fourth-graders at Pelican Island Elementary and
their teacher Debbie Fox have found a way for parents to get through the
summer doldrums with their sanity intact and their children's time
filled.
They have written a book — "Fun In the Sun: A Kids Guide
to Indian River County and Beyond" — that lists local kid-friendly
restaurants, parks, museums and activities, as well as out- of-town
items of interest.
The $16.95 book is on sale at the Vero Beach Book
Center, the school, the Environmental Learning Center, Mel Fisher's
Treasure Museum, Sebastian Chamber of Commerce, Amazon.com and Barnes &
Noble.com, said Principal Bonnie Swanson.
Included in the book is information on such issues as
having fun at the beach and what a visitor should bring to the beach. A
calendar of events tells children about fun activities and festivals
during the year. Phone numbers and addresses are provided for each place
named in the book, along with a explanation on what makes the place good
for children.
The book, presented this week to the School Board, is
designed for children to read to their parents, Fox said.
There is no advertising in the book and students only wrote about places
they felt should be included in the book, said student Michael Abt. The
only problem, he said, is that children are going to want their parents
to take them to the places in the book. "So get
ready for some driving," he warned parents.
The book took about eight months to compile
Students did all their own research, learning about first drafts,
rewrites and having to check and double check information to ensure
accuracy.
"We have learned that writing is not for lazy
people," said student Sorca Jordan at the School Board meeting
Student Dorothea O'Leary said the young writers had to
be organized and learned about deadlines.
"Mrs. Fox got a little crazy when papers were not turned
in on time," she joked to the board.
Student Blase Parkinson said readers will learn what the
students spent hours and
months learning about the area.
"It will save them a lot of time," he said.
Students said they liked the idea of being authors.
Several signed copies of books they sold at the School Board meeting.
-
colleen.wixon@scripps.com.
Copyright © 2006 The Christian Science
Monitor. All rights reserved.
May 5, 10:17 PM
Students, teacher aide collaborate on book
BY LINDA JUMP
FLORIDA TODAY
SEBASTIAN -- A dozen fourth-grade students from Pelican Island
Elementary School were amazed this week to finally see a book they
helped write.
"I was stunned to have been published in a book. It was
freaky but cool at the same time," said 10-year-old Andrea Mahovetz of
Sebastian.
The first copy of "Fun in the Sun -- A Kid's Guide to
Indian River County and Beyond" was signed by each of the students in a
writing club and by teacher aide Debbie Fox. It will be presented at
Tuesday's School Board meeting to Schools Superintendent Tom Maher.
Fox worked with the students for months to prepare the
guide of things to do and see in Indian River, Brevard and St. Lucie
counties. She wrote "Sharing the Sun," a guidebook for kids from Key
West to Jupiter before she came to Indian River.
"I thought it would give kids real-life writing
experiences, especially for the fourth grade, where FCAT writing
expectations are so critical," Fox said. She brought together the
strongest writers moving from third to fourth grade last fall, and sent
them to parks, beaches, restaurants, nature settings and other sites of
interest to children.
The result is a 180-page paperback book with drawings published by
Weekly Reader Press and iUniverse under a for-a-fee program. It includes
information needed by those new to the area, such as ways to avoid being
hit by lightning and rip currents. It has 23illustrations by children.
"That's my dolphin," said Chelsea Brady, 10, of Sebastian.
Students will sign books at a fund-raiser from 6 to 7 p.m.Saturday at the
school, with profits going to the school's literacy program.
"It was fun because usually kids don't get to 'authorize' a book," said
Blase Parkinson, 10, of Sebastian. Sorca Jordan, 8, of Sebastian said
she wants to write another book, this one about "a real person."
Michelle DeLucia, 10, of Sebastian wants to write a book "that's funny
and mysterious."
The site that received the most ink in the book is the Brevard Zoo.
"I fed the giraffe, and I liked the monkeys and otters," Dorothea
O'Leary said.
Contact Jump at (772) 388-4888 or ljump@flatoday.net
How to get it
Buy the book for $16.95 at
www.iuniverse.com/bookstore
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