AIS Educators Dedicate Latest Children’s Book To Library

Alcoa Intermediate School Counselor and National Award-Winning Boystown Press Author Kip Jones has released his latest Children’s book, Willard Womack and His Wonderful Word Machine. He once again called on his good friend and fellow AIS Art Teacher David Grant for the illustrations.  “He did such a good job of bringing to life the vision I had for this book,” Jones said.  The two friends teamed up in 2020 when the coronavirus spread across the country to produce Let Your Eyes Smile, Corona Style which went on to win two National Honors from The Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Star Standard for Children’s Books and 1st Place Winner for Best Children’s Nonfiction Books Category in The American Bookfest 2021.  “We work well together,” Jones added. “He is a very talented artist and did such a great job of visually piecing together what I wanted for this book.  I wanted this project to be more of a picture book so that David could have more liberties to display his talent.”  Grant agreed, “Kip explained how he wanted his characters for this book to really pop and help tell the story.”  Both were satisfied with how it came out and are excited about what this book can do.  “We are both right-brain thinkers who love implementing The Arts in our teaching,” Jones explained. “This book is what kids need right now with all the division it seems we have in our country lately.”  

For right now, the Counselor and Art Teacher are awaiting word on the possibility of a contract with book publishing companies to see where this story may go but for the time being, they have released purchasing opportunities through Amazon and Bookemon.  In the meantime, the duo recently had a book signing at the school library to dedicate their creation so the students of AIS could enjoy it for many years to come. 

About the Book:

When Willard Womack learns that Waverly Elementary School will be having a Science Fair Competition, he feels like this could be his big chance to impress everyone.  The idea of building a “Word Machine” seems a little far-fetched. But could he do it?  Read about Willard’s adventure with his wild and unpredictable new invention.  Words can be confusing and harmful to others if not used the right way.  It seems so hard to get the words to come out right.  What will he do when things go very wrong?  Does he have the creativity and smarts to win first place?  Join Willard, a pleasantly unusual kid who has a growth mindset and a lot of determination on his quest to make the world better with it's words.

https://alcoaschools-ais.edlioschool.com/apps/news/article/1566806