Published March 06. 2026 10:42AM
All Parkland elementary schools participated in “Parkland Reads Together” Feb. 26.
The program began 6:30 p.m. at each school.
The program included a virtual presentation by Shelley Johannes, a Michigan native and author of “Upside Down Beatrice.”
Johannes told students she started her career in architecture, but always loved books.
She then embarked on a career in writing with her philosophy being “follow what makes you weird.”
She used to draw upside down ninja girls in her local library eventually leading to “Beatrice,”
It took her five years to create “Upside Down Beatrice,” with it first being a short picture book, then became a full chapter book.
Each elementary school had one student ask Johannes a question during the live program.
Lily Bealer, Kernsville, asked Johannes “How much of your real life happiness is in your stories?”
Johannes replied there was a great deal of happiness in her stories, but sometimes there was sadness too.
Students were given drawing materials when they entered the various schools to draw “Upside Down Beatrice” following the presentation by Johannes.
At Kernsville Elementary School, students watched Johannes on a large screen then followed her directions for drawing “Beatrice.”
Jaymi Sam, reading specialist at Kernsville Elementary School, introduces students and parents to the Parkland School District Reads Together program, including all nine elementary schools, Feb. 26.PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELAND
Kernsville Elementary School student Lily Bealer is chosen to ask “Upside Down Beatrice” author Shelley Johannes “How much of real life happiness is in her stories?”
Kernsville students Kayden Kuneio and Jack Bealer watch as author Shelley Johannes shows them how to draw “Upside Down Beatrice” during the Parkland School District Reads Together program, including all nine elementary schools, Feb. 26.
Kernsville students, Violet Malone, Ema Y, Reetal Husan and Runa Yoshikawa, watch as author Shelley Johannes shows them how to draw “Upside Down Beatrice” during the Parkland School District Reads Together program.
