Author/Illustrator returns to alma mater

Art teacher Celeste Topazio shows how the hand-made bunny puppets will look when completed.

It's always a good day when an children's author visits Babylon School District, but when that author/ illustrator is also a Babylon graduate, the event becomes extra special. Marie LeTourneau, Class of 1987, returned to her alma mater to autograph her new book, The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Freres, or The Bistro of the Seven Brothers.

Welcoming her back were school library director Jane Herbst; consumer science teacher Cindy Theiss, with whom the author had participated in the Preschool Program; world languages teacher Elaine Katsikas; and art teacher Celeste Topazio, who Marie told, "You had a huge impact on my life!" They were on hand to coordinate an interdisciplinary project that tied the new publication into lessons for four-yearolds in the pre-school class.

The story, about a Parisian family of mice and the father's famous soupe au frommage (cheese soup) delighted the youngsters, as well as a number of adult visitors. After meeting the writer and artist, the children returned to their classroom to make paper chef hats and mice puppets.

Student-teacher Denise Stella helps fouryear old Angelina Verbeke with her newlycrafted chef's hat.

"This program makes learning come alive," said Ms. Theiss as she surveyed the many smiling faces. "Everyone is having a very good time. And, they're learning."

Ms. LeTourneau, who holds a BA from Hofstra University where she studied fine art, art history, and writing, is married and lives with her family in Nassau County.

Author/illustrator Marie LeTourneau (right) reads her book to pre-schoolers at the school. Students Caitlin Slaninka and Caren McGovern display the art work.

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