Public invited to Meet & Greet with the author at 7pm, Thursday, April 6th at the Piedmont College Commons in Demorest
For the past three months, Habersham readers young and old have been enjoying One Cool Friend, a book about a young man who goes to an aquarium with his father and comes home with a Magellanic penguin – but not a stuffed one as his absent-minded father thinks.
Written by New York Times best-selling author Toni Buzzeo, almost 600 copies of the book have been circulated throughout Habersham County at schools, libraries, businesses, medical offices and restaurants so that everyone in the community can have an opportunity to read and share this award-winning book.
Although she is now a full-time writer and speaker, Buzzeo also is a former college and high school English teacher and school librarian. Her 21 books for children have won numerous national and state awards. This year’s One Book Habersham selection, One Cool Friend, illustrated by David Small, won a 2013 Caldecott Honor which is one of the most prestigious awards in American children’s literature. Her books celebrate the importance of family and new adventures in a wide and welcoming world as well as the fun of learning through books and libraries. She has three million books in print.
As a professional writer, Buzzeo also has published eleven books for educators as well as countless articles in the library and literacy fields.
And now, as the 3rd annual OneBook Habersham – Together We Read draws to a close Buzzeo is coming to Habersham County! On April 6 and 7 she will speak to elementary age students in the Habersham County School System and share her writing journey. The public is invited to meet and hear this delightful author on the evening of April 6 at 7pm at the Piedmont College Commons when she will speak about her experiences as a writer of children’s books. The One Book Habersham committee extends an invitation to all who love to read to attend, meet Buzzeo and enjoy refreshments.
“One Book Habersham is such a great way to connect to people of all ages across Habersham County,” said Rhonda Andrews director of elementary schools for Habersham County Schools and One Book co-chair. “Every year OBH impacts more people and allows us to share our love of reading. We are thrilled about bringing Toni Buzzeo to talk with our students and share her experiences as a writer.”
One Book Habersham was organized three years ago in an effort to join other communities across the nation who, for the past decade have been coming together to promote literacy while building community through people reading the same book.
Don Gnecco, Dean of the School of Education at Piedmont College and a member of the One Book Committee said, “One Book Habersham has the potential of bringing the entire community together with stories and to share the enjoyment of reading. What could be better?”
One Book committee chair and Level Grove Elementary media specialist Helen O’Brien agrees and added, “In this time when we hear so much about how divided our country is, One Book Habersham is a small way to bring people in our community together. As author Kate DiCamillo says, “When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another.”
One Book Habersham is a community partnership between the Habersham County Schools, Volunteers for Literacy of Habersham, Habersham County Libraries, and Piedmont College School of Education with support from local businesses and organizations including Rotary Club of Habersham County, Cornelia Kiwanis, Penguin RandomHouse, Now Habersham, HCHS Youth Leadership, Tallulah Falls School, and Bluegraphics.
Haven’t read the book, yet? Contact VFL at [email protected] and a copy will be provided for you. And be sure to check out the OneBook website at www.onebookhabersham.org.
Article submitted by VFL Coordinator Phylecia Wilson. To learn more about Volunteers for Literacy of Habersham County, visit them online at vflhabersham.com.
