Wise Owls at Alcott School

Here's a big reason that I keep writing:

Alcott Elementary School Library
93 Laurel Street
Concord, MA 01742

August 6, 2010

Dear Ms. Larson, Ms. Nethery, & Ms. Cassels,

I'm writing to you from the Alcott Elementary School library in Concord,
Massachusetts, where I'm the library teacher. We are a K-5 school located
20 miles west of Boston. Two years ago we initiated what is called The
Bronson Award in honor of our school mascot, Bronson the Owl (named after
writer/philosopher Bronson Alcott from whom our school takes its name). We
have participated in a statewide reading incentive program called the
Massachusetts Children's Book Award for grades 4-6 for many years now, but
wanted something for our younger readers to rally around.

The Bronson Award is a home grown program, and each year title nominees are chosen
with the desire of bringing the kids together around a common reading
experience, while introducing them to authors and illustrators of recently
published picture, chapter, and nonfiction books. These nominees are
announced to classes in the fall, and voted for at the end of the school
year. School year 2008-2009's Bronson Award choice was Never Take a Shark
to the Dentist by author Judi Barrett, and during our first 2007-2008
year, Mo Willems's Today I Will Fly, and Ted Arnold's Hi, Fly Guy tied for
1st place :)

I would like you to know that this year 246 Alcott K-3 students cast their
ballots, and 99 of those children chose your Two Bobbies as their
hands-down favorite of 20 title nominees.

You are our 2009-2010 Bronson Award Winners!

While introducing your book, it was fun to share the Two Bobbies Web site
as well. It has been a joy sharing themes of friendship, loyalty,
perseverance, survival, and hope. Thank you so much for your inspirational storytelling and illustration.

Your admiring fans,
Sandy Peirce, & the K-3 students at Alcott School