The A+ Custodian - Hardcover

Borden, Louise

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689849958 ISBN 13: 9780689849954

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2004

Synopsis

"Mr. Carillo is our A+ Custodian!"
John Carillo, Dublin Elementary School's custodian, has a big job. He mops and sweeps, polishes and scrubs, changes lightbulbs, washes windows, fixes pipes, moves furniture, and more! The teachers, students, parents, and principal all count on Mr. Carillo, and he never lets them down.
Now his early-bird helpers, Gracie and Zach, want to do something to show Mr. Carillo how important he is to them.
But showing him how much they appreciate everything he does will take lots of planning, some hard work, and the help of everyone in the whole school!
In her classic style Louise Borden brings to vivid focus one elementary school, the students and faculty who bring it to life, and the clever way they show Mr. Carillo he's their A+ custodian!

About this title

About the Author:

Louise Borden graduated from Denison University with a degree in history. She taught first graders and preschoolers and later was a part-owner of a bookstore in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to writing children’s books, she also speaks regularly to young students about the writing process. Her books include Good Luck, Mrs. K!, which won the Christopher Medal, and The A+ Custodian. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, and you can visit her at LouiseBorden.com.

Adam Gustavson is a graduate of Rowan University and the Master of Fine Arts Illustration program at the School of Visual Arts in New York. In addition to illustrating picture books, he currently teaches at Passaic County Community College and Seton Hall University. He lives and paints in West Orange, New Jersey, with his wife, their children, several guitars, and a ferret named Gracie.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 2-4–Third-graders Gracie and Zach arrive at school early because their mother is a teacher. Mr. Carillo has been there since early morning, unlocking the building, turning on the heat and lights, and even making coffee in the teachers' workroom. He calls the twins the "Early Birds" and lets them help with some of the work. The children soon realize how special the friendly custodian is; he can fix anything, knows the name of every student, and even shares donuts with his two assistants. When Gracie notices the words of praise written on the students' papers displayed on the walls, she gets an idea. With the help of Zach, the principal, and her teacher, they plan a surprise for Mr. Carillo. When he opens the school, there's a banner as well as notes written by the children posted on the many things that he has cleaned or fixed: "Super! Mighty Fine! Good Effort." This tale lauds a job well done and highlights the important role of custodians. Gustavson's realistic oil paintings suggest the warmth of the building and the dark hallways in the early morning with enough generic blurred detail to keep readers focused on the people rather than the place. The story is sure to move youngsters to, as Borden suggests in her introduction, "Celebrate your custodian's hard work."–Susan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0689849958
• ISBN 13: 9780689849954
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Gustavson Adam