Groton Elementary School is gearing up for the Nov. 14 Family Reading Partnership's Kids' Book Fest at Ithaca's Boynton Middle School by reading and writing poetry and especially, with a visit from this year's visiting author, poet David Greenberg.

Greenberg will do a presentation in the school cafetorium for grades 3-5 from 9:10 to 9:55 a.m. and for pre-K to second grade 10:05 to 10:50 a.m. Thursday, Nov 5.

Greenberg is a popular children's poet who has written more than a dozen books, including "The Great School Lunch Rebellion," which was the 1990 recipient of the Children's Choice award. Greenberg writes that his school visit "poetry programs are based on my poetry picture books. They are fun, funny, inspirational and filled with wisdom about what makes good writing and good writers." This event is being sponsored by GPTO and TST BOCES School Library System. Learn more about David Greenberg and see his full booklist at his Web site, authorsillustrators.com/greenberg/greenberg.htm.

Mariah Prentiss, library media specialist at Groton Elementary School, writes that "students will be celebrating poetry prior to Greenberg's visit, as well as after it, by collecting poems (some written by Groton students) in poetry pockets around the school. Poetry pockets full of poems are also available at 10 businesses in the Village of Groton." In conjunction with the poetry celebration, all students will also receive a copy of "My Village: Rhymes from Around the World," a collection of 22 poems from other countries. This gift is made possible by Time Warner Cable, Groton Business Association, American Storage and the Groton Parent-Teacher Organization.

Katrina Morse, assistant director of the Family Reading Partnership, said that the partnership, in preparation for their book fest, sent out 6,000 fliers that included origami pockets for the students to put their poems in. More than 75 poems are now placed throughout the county and kids can be collecting them, leading up to the book fest event. Prentiss says that Groton students are keeping their poetry pockets in their classes and bringing poems back to deposit in them. To view a list of community poetry locations in Groton (and throughout Tompkins County), go to www.familyreading.org.

Reminder

Groton Community Church Harvest Supper, Craft Bazaar and Bake Sale, 4:30 p.m. until gone, Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Groton Elementary School, 516 Elm St. The supper features turkey with all the trimmings. A fee will be charged at the door.