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What if common objects they use at school every day were to come alive? Imaginations will be running wild at The Dinosaur Farm toy and bookstore, located at 1520 Mission Street in South Pasadena on Sunday, November 19, 2023.
A book launch event is planned between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. that afternoon for Rock Scissors Paperbag by Burbank Elementary School teacher Elizabeth Godley. The first reading is at 2 p.m. and the second at 3 p.m., each followed by a Q & A and book signing.
As part of the event, Godley plans to give out free flipbooks for the kids so they can make their own stories come to life, and there will be a free raffle for a signed copy of Rock Scissors Paperbag accompanied by a pet rock.
Rock Scissors Paperbag is the story of three children who live in a magical world that in some ways is a lot like our own. Scissors is an excellent athlete, but a bit of a perfectionist. Rock is a talented musician, but has low self-esteem, and Paperbag is really smart but scares easily.
After the school bullies steal the fake orange-ball they are playing with, leaving them with nothing to do, the kids decide to take action. What if they could get a real orange-ball from The Great Orange Tree? Recalling a local legend, they head off on a great adventure to find it. Along the way, Rock, Scissors and Paperbag all discover their inner strengths in a slightly different way.
“Kids are so ‘plugged in’ nowadays and isolated. That is why I wanted to write Rock, Scissors, Paperbag NOW. I want to encourage kids to make friends, go on make-believe adventures, get dirty, stand up to the bully, accidentally scrape their knees, and make some innocent mischief. In. Real. Life,” says Godley, who adds the story was inspired by a brainstorming exercise she participated in while collaborating with her fellow members of a clown performance group.
The book has already won an international book award. It is the 2023 Speak Up Talk Radio International Firebird Book Award winner.
About the Author
Elizabeth Godley didn’t set out to become a teacher, but after a 15-year career in TV and film, she decided to move on to her other passions. Knowing that she has always enjoyed working with children, a friend referred her to the local elementary school.
She is now a Math teacher at Bret Harte Elementary School in Burbank, California. These days she nurtures her creative side by writing children’s books. Rock Scissors Paperbag, released in November 2023, is her second book. Godley is also the author of Ribbon’s Traveling Castle, a picture book in which children learn that change is a good thing.
Elizabeth Godley is a 2008 graduate of Louisiana State University where she majored in Theater. Before transitioning to a career as an elementary school teacher, she appeared in 13 Shakespeare theater productions, and had roles in several commercials, TV shows and films as well.
More information can be found at www.nobodysbananapublishing.com
