Businesses enable local author to give away books at AISD

Children’s author Sharon Ellsberry presents her book to students at South Athens Elementary. Local businesses sponsored Ellsberry’s program to give all AISD second-graders a copy of her Thanksgiving-themed storybook. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator

Athens-based children’s author Sharon Ellsberry, author “The Spaniel Family” books, teamed up with 12 local businesses in order to give all Athens ISD second-graders a copy of “The Spaniel Family’s Thanksgiving.”

“We’re happy to be able to do this at all three campuses this year,” said Ellsberry. “We want to let the students know that their community cares about them, and we also want to encourage the joy of reading.”

Ellsberry visited second-graders at Bel Air, South Athens and Central Athens elementaries where she presented the book and then autographed a copy for each child. She will follow-up at each campus to discuss the story after students have read it, and perform a related puppet show in assemblies.

Those who made the give-away and presentations possible are Atmos Energy, Salon NAVA, Reigning Jewels, Athens Spine Center, Athens Bank, Athens Army Navy & Pawn, Athens Animal Clinic, Kathy’s Boutique, Snap Fitness, Crestway Park Dental, The Retreat Day Spa, and the Allen Small Group from Life Fellowship Church. Each sponsor provided books for an entire classroom.

“Our hope is if they have their very own book, they will want to read it, and, hopefully, this will encourage them to read even more books,” said Ellsberry.