Author Yaccarino visited Covert Elementary students

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Author Dan Yaccarino visited Covert Elementary School on Feb. 15 as part of the Rockville Centre School District’s Literacy Week.

Through childhood drawings and photos, illustration and animation, Yaccarino’s presentation to the students spoke about his life and how it connected to a 25-year career in children’s publishing, television and character design. His message to the children was that they could achieve anything if they work hard enough.

The halls at Covert were adorned with student pictures and art creations that celebrated Literacy Week. One focused on Yaccarino’s book “Every Friday”, which is about a boy and his father who look forward to their Friday ritual of eating a pancake breakfast at their favorite restaurant. But the pair also learn that their leisurely walk through their neighborhood can be just as rewarding.

There was also a handmade drawing of another popular Yaccarino characters, Doug Unplugged. That book is about a robot boy who get plugged in by his parents every morning and fed information in order to make him smart. But Doug soon “unplugs” himself and begins to learn about his surroundings by going outside and exploring.

Besides his books, Yaccarino is also known for his work on award-winning animated television shows such as Oswald, Willa’s Wild Life and The Backyardigans.