By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – There was much excitement in Lesley Burnap’s third-grade class at the Calvin Coolidge Elementary School in Shrewsbury last month when Melissa Stewart, a local children’s author, stopped by for a visit.
She brought with her copies of her book, “Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes and Stinkers,” which will be released in stores in a few months. A signed copy was given to each student.
Stewart shared that she and Burnap met online, attended conferences together and had developed a friendship over the years. Through this friendship, Stewart came to know of this class.
Stewart asked Burnap’s class last December if they would be willing to do a trailer to promote the book. The students helped develop a script and practiced reading it for the Book Trailer which was recorded in March.
Stewart read the book – celebrating animal underdogs – to the students and then answered a few questions. They asked her where the idea for the book came from. Stewart responded that she woke up one morning with the idea and the words to the first page.
Stewart, from Acton, has written more than 180 books over the past 20 years. Her books creatively integrate science and language arts. More information can be found at “Melissa Stewart’s Science Clubhouse” on her website www.melissa-stewart.com.