Bringing books to life
—Photo by MARY MALONE Sandpoint Christian School’s teachers and students dressed as their favorite storybook characters Friday for the school’s annual Storybook Character Day. Even moms and siblings of some students joined the fun, such as Heidi Sharp, right, and 2-year-old Hadley, who was a little shy. Sharp’s son Royce is a third-grader at the school.
— Photo by MARY MALONE Sandpoint Christian School's teachers and students dressed as their favorite storybook characters Friday for the school's annual Storybook Character Day. In the photo, Kindergarten teacher Kelly Osborn, second from left, attempts to find Waldo as she talks with the kids about the books and costumes they chose for the event.
— Photo by MARY MALONE Sandpoint Christian School's teachers and students dressed as their favorite storybook characters Friday for the school's annual Storybook Character Day. Pictured is SCS preschool teacher Wendy Butcher, right, talking with her students about their chosen books and character costumes.
— Photo by MARY MALONE Sandpoint Christian School's teachers and students dressed as their favorite storybook characters Friday for the school's annual Storybook Character Day. Pictured is SCS teacher Jenny Pierce, top right, with her first- and second-grade class.
— Photo by MARY MALONE Sandpoint Christian School's teachers and students dressed as their favorite storybook characters Friday for the school's annual Storybook Character Day. Pictured is Julie Krajicek's third- and fourth grade class.
— Photo by MARY MALONE Sandpoint Christian School's teachers and students dressed as their favorite storybook characters Friday for the school's annual Storybook Character Day. Third- and fourth-grade teacher Julie Krajicek, left, talks with third-grader Daniel Butcher about his Indian Jones costume and book he chose for the event. Also pictured from center, Mallory Pierce, fourth-grade; Owen Willett, third-grade; and Royce Sharp, third grade.
— Photo by MARY MALONE Sandpoint Christian School student Lotus Martin, right, discusses the book "Alice in Wonderland" with her teacher while dressed as the Mad Hatter. Third- and fourth-grade teacher Julie Krajicek, left, is dressed as Sophie from "The BFG."
— Photo by MARY MALONE Sandpoint Christian School's teachers and students dressed as their favorite storybook characters Friday for the school's annual Storybook Character Day. Second-grader Karli Lippert, right, dressed as a crayon with her book, "The Day the Crayon Came Home," and was joined by her mother, Kim, second from left, and her little brother Mason, right. First- and second-grade teacher, Jenny Pierce, second from right, dressed as Rufus Leroy Williams III from "Rufus goes to school."
PONDERAY — Storybook characters came to life Friday at Sandpoint Christian School.
The school's annual Storybook Character Day brought to life characters from "Minecraft," "The Dollhouse," "Little House on the Prairie," Waldo from "Where's Waldo," and the Mad Hatter from "Alice in Wonderland," "Inky the Indigo Fairy," Jessie from "Toy Story," as well as adventurers like Indiana Jones and Jack Sparrow.
There were also several mystery-solving characters, including Sherlock Holmes, Joe Hardy from the Hardy Boys book series, Scooby Doo and more.
While many of the students chose fiction books, there were a few non-fiction lovers. Second-grader Gabriel Zmuda, dressed as a harpy eagle, presented his book on endangered animals of North and South America.
"I like that their talons are eight inches long," Gabriel said about the harpy eagle, a bird that is endangered largely due to loss of habitat. "There is not very many of them left."
For Storybook Character Day, students and adults were encouraged to dress up as their favorite book character and, bringing the book with them, told the audience a little about their book and character — without giving away the plot. The teachers joined in as well, dressing up and describing their characters. First- and second-grade teacher Jenny Pierce, for example, dressed up as Rufus Leroy Williams III from "Rufus Goes to School," and third- and fourth-grade teacher Julie Krajicek dressed up as Sophie from "The BFG" (Big Friendly Giant).
Elizabeth Page, SCS principal, opened the event as Auntie Em from the "Wizard of Oz." As she told the students a little about her niece, Dorothy, a chorus of "awe" and squeals of delight came from the kids as "Toto" entered the room. It was actually Page's chihuahua and yorkshire terrier mix, Max, but he played his part well.
Page said this is the first year the students' parents and siblings were encouraged to participate in the event, so three moms and a couple of younger siblings braved the stage as well.
The school currently has 100 students, from preschool- through eighth-grades, and about 65 students participated in Friday's event.
"We do this every year as our annual event to get kids excited about reading and to build literacy," Page said.
She said another benefit to the event is it helps teach the students public speaking from a young age.
The students often enjoy Storybook Character Day so much, Page said, the returning students begin preparing for the following year as soon as the event is over. New students learn about the event at the beginning of the year to give them time to choose their book and character.
Page said to check out the schools Facebook page for event highlights: facebook.com/sandpointchristian.
The next big event at SCS is Living History Day, starting at 8:15 a.m. Nov. 22, and Page said all home-school students are welcome to come. Each classroom will represent an event or facet of American history, which may include decorations, costumes, food, music, hands-on activities and lessons about the highlighted events.