Carolyn Pegram, a volunteer and committee member at the University of Mississippi Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction, reads 'Three Hens and a Peacock' to first-graders at Okolona Elementary School. The school is a high-needs school where CELI specialists advise K-3 teachers on literacy education.
OXFORD, Miss. – A story of three mischievous hens, an alluring peacock and a farmer who sells heaps of fresh produce is the winner of the third annual Read Aloud Book Award given by the Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction at the University of Mississippi.
A committee of nine literacy educators and students selected “Three Hens and a Peacock” (Peachtree Publishers, 2011) by writer Lester L. Laminack and illustrator Henry Cole from among 37 submissions for this year’s award.
“The book’s dialog lends itself to expressive reading,” said Angela Rutherford, CELI director. “When we read aloud to children, we model different expressions; this book does that wonderfully. Not to mention it’s just funny!”Since naming three finalists for the award in January, committee members have read the books to 827 children in a variety of settings across Mississippi. To rank the books and select a winner, they recorded observations based on students’ reactions to the story and body language while listening.
“We try to attract a diverse panel of committee members,” explained CELI literacy specialist Tamara Hillmer. “Our committee members are teachers, undergraduates, graduate students, community members and librarians. It brings a broad range of opinions about the quality of the books.”
Besides committee members, graduate students in the School of Education’s online master’s in literacy education program tested the books in their respective classrooms around the state.
“Three Hens and a Peacock” was ultimately selected for its ability to pique students’ curiosity and the story’s potential for depth in teaching and learning. Readers found that the tale, in which three hens unsuccessfully try to take the job of a peacock whose beautiful feathers draw people to the farm to buy produce, sets the stage for discussion of biology, botany, agriculture, business and even advertising, Hillmer said.
The majority of students expressed interest not only in the story, but also the illustrations.
“Usually we give this award to the author,” Hillmer explained. “The illustrations received such a great response that this year, we’re giving the award to the author and illustrator. It’s a great fable. It delivers a message that we’re all good at something and even if we think our job isn’t important, we all depend on each other.”
Laminack is a professor emeritus and literacy specialist at Western Carolina University. Cole is an illustrator of more than 40 children’s books. Both will receive CELI Read Aloud Book Award medals for their achievement, and the book will bear a seal on its cover.
“We’ve improved our processes for selecting great books,” Rutherford said. “We’ve also helped spread some really great stories.”
For more information about CELI, go to http://www.olemiss.edu/celi/.