I SPY Goes to School

Jean Marzollo, author of the I SPY book series, loves visiting schools and meeting with children. During her visits, Ms. Marzollo talks to students about how her rhyming riddles and the accompanying images, created by photographer Walter Wick, are developed. Students can ask questions as well as share their own I SPY projects, getting feedback and advice from Ms. Marzollo.

Last March, Ms. Marzollo visited Colonial Drive Elementary in Miami, Florida. Take a look. . .

The students at Colonial Drive Elementary created this I SPY riddle to welcome Ms. Marzollo to their school:

I spy a yellow train, a dancer pretty,
Two strawberries, a palm tree, a taxi from the city.
I spy a rabbit, a sheriff's badge, a tomato red,
Our first president, a penguin, a soft cozy bed.

As the I SPY riddle expert, Ms. Marzollo provides constructive criticism of Colonial Drive Elementary's I SPY riddle while Carol Brott, the Reading Leader, looks on. Here's the corrected riddle:

I spy a train, a dancer that's pretty,
Two strawberries, a palm tree, a taxi from the city;
A rabbit, a badge, a tomato that's red,
A coffee cup, a penguin, and a soft cozy bed.

Brook Adams, age 10, entertains Ms. Marzollo and fellow classmate Christopher Hardy, age 11, by singing an I SPY riddle.

During her time with students, Ms. Marzollo graciously autographs copies of her I SPY books. Sinead Spraggins, age 9, cannot wait to get her book signed!

Before she says goodbye, Ms. Marzollo leaves a kind message to students of Colonial Drive Elementary.

Photos courtesy of Thomas Brott.

If you would like Ms. Marzollo to visit your school, please see her Author Visit Kit for more information.