Author Visits Bolingbrook Elementary School

Photo: World famous author Jena Ball chats about a “kindness hat” drawing created by 4th grader Aarti Patel during a day-long visit to Tibbott Elementary School Wednesday.

Submitted by Valley View School District

Kids are perfectly not perfect just the way they are.

That was the message of kindness, compassion and working together that author Jena Ball left with Tibbott students during her day-long visit to the Bolingbrook elementary school Wednesday.

“I want them to understand that even though they can’t be perfect, they’re very special,” the North Carolina-based author and illustrator of the Critterkin Tales series said.

“Kids need to know they are special just the way they are and all of them have something to give to make this world a better place,” added Tibbott Library Media Services Director Erin Preder, who has been helping Tibbott students visit with Ball and her CritterKin Kindness Project Based Learning program via the internet throughout the school year.

During Wednesday’s visit, Ball not only spent time in grade level assemblies but she also helped students create kindness stones that included their names and their own personal kindness drawings.

But the highlight of the day was a puppet show based on the final chapter in one of Ball’s books, “Lead With Your Heart,” written, designed and produced by the students in Dave Mertes’ 5th grade class.

“It’s all about spreading kindness,” Mertes said.