Delicious Literacy: Fannin students have book-themed Cupcake Wars
The Cat in the Hat never tasted so good.
Fannin Elementary School students combined sweetness with book titles on Wednesday, channeling the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” by pairing literary titles with cupcake decorating.
Librarian Susan Barron organized the event as part of the school’s monthly family library night. She wanted to put her own spin on the popular reality show, which pits bakers against each other for cupcakes best representing a theme. More than 50 students competed in Fannin’s “Cupcake Wars.”
“I love watching the show, and I knew I wanted to tie into one of our family nights,” Barron said. “It’s a fun way to get the students excited about reading.”
With 20 minutes on the clock, each would-be baker took their blank cupcake canvas and transformed it into a literary masterpiece using their tools of choice: pretzel pieces, frosting, sprinkles, cookies, candy, graham crackers and cereal. Another five minutes were allotted for practicing their presenting skills before meeting with the judges.
Parents and students brought their hardbacks or googled book covers to guide them through the decorating process, looking back and forth at the covers to preserve the likeness.
“It’s really important to have these kinds of events to include parents,” Barron said. “We always want them to know they are welcome here and that we value them. My hope is they will encourage parents to read with their children to create lifelong readers.”
Fifth-grader Jonathan Perez and his mom used graham crackers as ears on their cupcake to create one of the dogs in the book “Lulu Walks the Dogs.”
“I liked when the dogs ran around the tree and trapped her with the leash,” Jonathan said. “I think reading is important because it builds your comprehension. When you keep reading, you get better.”
Second-grader Amaya Hunt designed Nikki from the “Dork Diaries” series, carefully placing Froot Loops for her eyes.
“I liked this book because in the end they become friends,” Amaya said.
Her mom Destini Hunt loves being able to spend time with her daughter at the school’s family nights. They read together as a family, primarily reading board books to Amaya’s younger brother.
“It feels good to be able to make it to these events,” she said. “It’s great that they encourage the students to read.”