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Author Reads To Bowler Elementary Students

	Rachel Brandes Moapa Valley Progress Kids at Grant Bowler Elementary School got a special treat on Monday, February 25 when Las Vegas author Michael McIntyre and local artist Ciara Sprague visited for a reading of their new book “Thunder and Lightning”. The book explains to children why they shouldn’t be afraid of thunder and the warning it gives to an upcoming storm.		Ciara Sprague, local artist, shows kids at Bowler Elementary School the illustrations she drew for a new book titled “Thunder and Lightning” in an assembly on Monday, February 25.
	The primary grades had the opportunity to gather in the multi-purpose room and listen to McIntire read his book as Sprague walked around showing the pictures she drew for the book. McIntyre explained to students that the idea for his book began with a story he would tell his grandson, Zachary. McIntyre’s wife expressed to her husband that he should make his story into a book. He did and the rest is history. “When you open a book, it is like opening a door,” explained McIntyre. Expressing the importance of being creative and using one’s imagination he told the young group, “with imagination, you can do exciting things”. After the book reading, McIntyre discussed thunderstorms with the children. Asking them where they would go in the event of a thunderstorm, he received many responses. “To my house”, “to my friends house”, “to my aunts house”. Just a few of the cute answers given. McIntyre explained to children not to take shelter under trees because for some reason lightning doesn’t like trees. “Maybe lightning is mad at trees,” stated McIntyre. This left the audience in chuckles to think lightning was mad at trees. Principal Shawna Jessen thanked McIntyre and Sprague for sharing their book with the children and explained that McIntyre is a postal delivery man and found Sprague after expressing a need for an artist to illustrate his new book. Sprague is a local that has lived in Moapa Valley for the past five years. She graduated from Moapa Valley High School in 2005 and is currently attending college with hopes of being an art teacher. McIntyre and Sprague visited Books Etc. in Overton later in the afternoon for a special book signing.