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Thank you, Andre! When you visited St. Tim's in April of 2009, it was such a fun-filled day as well as inspiring for all of our students! We have all of your books in our library collection! However, your newest book, TJ’s Takedown: A Boy’s Wrestling Story, has scored really big in our neighborhood! This one really relates to the kids on so many levels; sports, friends, bullies, and values of the heart. We appreciate how you invite so many boys and girls to enjoy the reading experience! By the way, can we get a giant poster of the cover of the new book like I see on the web site for The Circus Kids? Please keep on writing so we can keep on reading!
Sue McCall, School Librarian, St. Timothy’s Catholic School, Philadelphia, PA
I love having Mr. Garant come to our 7th Grade Career Day. He truly relates to our students and can inspire them to use their imagination and writing skills to create their own masterpieces. We have some budding authors because of him. Again - thanks for coming and bringing me a signed copy of your book. I hope to see you soon.
School to Career Coordinator, Vernon Center Middle School, Vernon, CT
Andre and I worked together for a few years and during that time my daughter, Jessica, became interested in his books. After Andre visited her classroom at Parker School in Tolland back in 2004, he offered to write a book featuring my daughter as the main character. We were both thrilled! A few months later we had a beautiful book (Jess Goes To Camp) full of fun and adventure. We really enjoyed how Andre personalized the story by using Jess's friends and family as the supporting characters. Jessica and all of her friends have really enjoyed reading this book over and over. Andre allowed all of the kids featured in the book to feel very special! What a big honor it was for Jessica to have a book written about her. I highly recommend any of Andre’s books to kids between 8-12 years old since he always writes great stories that they can relate to.
Laurie Brozek, Tolland, CT
Andre Garant’s strategy to involve real people in novels impresses me as a means to get youngsters involved in reading. This was evident in the recent release of David’s Awesome Adventure when I observed my grandchildren and their friends who were the main characters in that story. All were sitting beside a pool engrossed in reading instead of swimming! This approach benefits both the youngsters and will continue to bring success to Mr. Garant in his future writing endeavors.
Pat Busch, Vernon, CT
Thank you so much for our three-day writer's workshop, Andre! The kids really enjoyed their time with you, especially the third graders! Thank you for taking the time with the classes to do the writing prompts as well as accommodating our request on the last day. The kids enjoyed talking with you and sharing their ideas. Your enthusiasm for writing children's books showed in your time that you spent at our school!
Eli Terry School PTO, South Windsor, CT
Andre has a special connection with kids. He walks into a room, begins to talk to them and suddenly they're captivated. He's like their honorary Uncle in a matter of moments. I've seen it happen not at just one school where maybe they recognize his familiar face, but also a totally new school where nobody knows him. He loves spending time with the kids because he says they help motivate him and give him ideas for stories but in actuality he motivates them with his stories. The kids read the stories and become a part of the story. The kids know that Andre is trying to reach them in some way and they are touched by his generosity, his willingness to want to get to know them by eating lunch with them, and by just being there listening to them and appreciating them at this time in their life.
Mary Ellen Eaton, Stafford, CT
I had the pleasure of coaching a youth soccer team that was sponsored by Andre Garant. The players were very proud to be on his team, as most of them had personally met Andre when he came to visit their schools. He, too, was very excited as this was the first sports team that he had ever sponsored. At the start of the season, he asked me for the names of the players on the team so that he could provide each with a personalized autographed copy of his book, Nick Makes the Kick. Before even seeing the players, Andre informed me that he knew a number of the boys through visits to some of the schools in town. He came to our first game and served as our honorary bench coach. While on the bench, he had a chance to talk with each of the players. At the end of the game, each player received their book. Andre has shown that he truly cares for the kids in his community.
Paul Rouleau, Coach, Vernon, CT, Youth Soccer Association
Here at Tolland Public Library, Andre Garant is our most popular local author. (You could say that he is Connecticut’s answer to Matt Christopher). Andre’s books have great kid appeal, and are especially well-liked by boys into sports. His stories feature real-life kids doing things that real kids imagine; it’s a sure-fire recipe for reading success – especially for kids making the transition into longer chapter books.
Ginny Brousseau, Children’s/YA Librarian, Tolland Public Library, Tolland, CT
Andre Garant has helped me by critiquing my children’s stories. I was able to take away many suggestions from his meeting. He has inspired me to hone my craft, and go back to school for writing. He is living proof that if you really want something good to happen, it will happen; if you set your mind to it!
Patricia H. Simpson, Tolland, CT
I want to take this opportunity to thank Andre Garant for creating The Fourth Grade Day Book with the fourth grade students at Center Road School in Vernon, CT. From the moment he walked into their lives, he engaged and learned the names of all 66 students and made it a very fun process. Each and every student’s true character was captured in this book. These students gained self esteem and the miracle of believing in reading and writing. It was a delight to work with Andre as a liaison. My daughter and I truly love our new book. I would not hesitate to recommend Andre to others. I hope that he will visit our school again in the future!
Gilmay Markunas, Vernon, CT
Andre Garant was inspiring to all of the fourth grade students at our school! He spent a full year with the classes to learn each and every student’s personalities, hobbies and interests of which he was able to capture in his book “Fourth Grade Day.” The children thoroughly enjoyed having a book illustrated about them and their school. What a great way to get our children to do more reading! Thanks, Andre!
Tammy Gessay, Vernon, CT
It has been wonderful knowing Andre Garant these past few years. He put so much effort and spent endless hours of time getting to know all the children in my daughters' class in order to produce his book called “Fourth Grade Day.” He came to understand each student's personality so that the book would properly reflect their true character. He even came to my daughter’s first talent show, which was far beyond any expectation we had of Andre and also meant a lot to us. He was at most of the social events that the school put on and also volunteered to come on some of our field trips as well, just to become even more acquainted with our children. My daughter was so excited to see Andre, but also very proud to see her name and character developed in his new book. Thank you Andre for making this possible for Renee!
Kathleen Rogan, Vernon, CT |
