Mark Crilley

Mark Crilley speaking to the students about how he got into writing.

Mark Crilley was here yesterday to talk to the 6th graders about how he started his writing and drawing career and how he comes up with ideas. Drawing inspiration from some of his favorite childhood books - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland, Chronicles of Narnia, and Wizard of Oz - he went to work with the idea of taking a child and putting them into a completely different setting, a whole other world to be exact. 

Class listening to Mark Crilley explain how he develops characters.

While he was talking he was also drawing, showing us a little bit of his Manga style of art and speaking about the practice and hard work that it took to get there. He also gave the kids some good advice about being tough enough to handle revising their papers and being smart enough to identify when a teacher is pushing them because they know that they can produce better work. A special thanks to the PTO for helping us bring Mark Crilley to Pewaukee - we couldn't have done it without you! 

Brew Crew was here too ... sure you heard all about this already :)

...... and in case you missed the news or the kids talking about it, the Milwaukee Brewers were here. One of our 5th graders here at Horizon wrote to the BrewCrew about his inability to be at games due to his peanut allergy. His letter was so well written and so persuasive that the Brewers will be having 3 games next year with peanut-controlled areas. They came to Horizon to announce it to the kids, staff, and the state. Just goes to show you how one letter, one person, one child can make a huge difference. 

The kids were able to meet Bernie Brewer and the racing sausages. Our 5th grade star received a Brewers jersey with his name on the back, a baseball cap, and tickets to see the Brewers play ... in a section where he will be safe. Pretty awesome stuff.