Author Michael Sampson visits CHE

Armadillo Antics at Cockrell Hill Elementary
Posted on 05/02/2022
Cockrell Hill Elementary School and Texas A&M-Commerce representatives pose with Children's author Dr. Michael Sampson

Feet were stomping, hands were clapping and children at Cockrell Hill Elementary School in DeSoto Independent School District were all smiles in the school library as famed children’s book author Dr. Michael Sampson read from a variety of his books on Monday, April 25, 2022.


April is National School Library Month, and CHE was selected as a book tour stop for Sampson’s latest book, “Armadillo Antics,” which he co-wrote with the late Bill Martin, Jr. The pair co-authored several award-winning titles, including “Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3” which Sampson read aloud as well.


The tour is made possible through a collaborative partnership between The College of Education and Human Services at Texas A&M University-Commerce and Brown Books Publishing Group. Representatives from both entities were on-hand to witness the laughter and curiosity of the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes in attendance. They were delighted by the responsiveness and questions from the young students.


DeSoto ISD librarian Diane Gill was excited about this visit.


“Having participated in virtual author visits over the last few years, it was reinvigorating having Dr. Sampson on campus,” Gill said. “There is nothing like the energy of an in-person author visit!”


Kindergarten teacher Sabrina Mayberry was awarded an autographed copy of “Armadillo Antics” for her classroom for having the highest class participation.


A priority in the District’s strategic plan is to emphasize early literacy as the gateway to academic success. Literacy and the gift of reading is a year-round commitment for DeSoto ISD.


“Strategic partnerships within a district that demonstrates its commitment to students' literacy development are pivotal towards developing lifelong readers and critical thinkers,” Gill said. “When district leaders like CHE Principal [Dina] Jammer demonstrate that commitment by willingly collaborating with school libraries, book publishers, and children's book authors, we experience the power of a village!”