2nd Grade Author's Tea

Today Tony and I were able to attend Harper's Author's Tea at school (Dakota's is tomorrow). In years past the kids were able to invite anyone in their family who was able to attend but because of the heightened security in the schools due to gun violence, the kids were only able to have 2 adults attend. (We had to preregister by a certain date and the event was held outside instead of in the classroom as in years past.)

I love this little annual tradition and have every book the kids have ever made, starting way back with Zoe. They are treasures that we just love to go back and read (and laugh, and laugh) through.

The 2nd graders were told to choose an animal to write about and Harper chose Boa Constrictors. He's been fascinated by snakes this year so it seemed appropriate that he'd choose one to write about. I was pleasantly surprised when he told us who he'd dedicated his book to:

We could tell that he'd worked hard on not only writing his book but also illustrating it. He was thoughtful about what facts he included and even printed some photos he found online that showed constrictors of bright colors. At the end of his book he included a joke:

A snake walks into a bar. The bartender says "I can't serve you". The snakes asks
"why not"? The bartender replies "Because you can't hold your licker". 

I was't so sure that was appropriate for a 2nd grade book but I can't help it if he remembered the joke from the poster we have hanging in the basement! He said his teacher liked it so I guess she thought it was fine.