On Wednesday 28th February, the children in Transition, Reception and Year 1 welcomed a rather strange looking, but friendly, monster into their classrooms. He was brought to School by Alina Crisan, the author of Professor Broccoli’s ABC Adventure at the Zoo.
Alina grew up in Transylvania where she completed an English teaching degree and a post-graduate diploma in fine art. She became a schoolteacher and then a professional artist and has continued to work with children both in schools and privately since moving to the UK more than ten years ago. The character, Professor Broccoli, was created by Alina’s son when he won a Smart Stories competition. Alina was sure young children would love his happy monster and decided to write and illustrate a book for learning to read years. A handmade Professor Broccoli furry monster goes with her into schools whilst she shares his story.
Our children in the lower years at Norfolk House School listened intently to Alina whilst she read the story, emphasising letter sounds and names, described the characters and talked about her beautiful illustrations. During a question and answer session when we found out that it took a whole year for Alina to write Professor Broccoli’s ABC Adventure at the Zoo.
