Heritage High School is releasing its latest children's book, “A Mouse in the Academy” this Friday, December 6th at the Academy of Fine Arts.
This marks the third year that HHS art students have produced and illustrated a children’s book. Jacob Jaminet, a 2013 HHS graduate and current freshman at VCU, wrote the tale about a family of mice living in the Academy Theatre and rejoicing as the Academy is being renovated.
This book was produced in support of the renovation of the Academy of Fine Arts on Main Street in Lynchburg. According to HHS art teacher Jon Roark, in visiting this subject matter, his hope is to educate students about their own history and at the same time bring awareness of the treasures still to be found in Lynchburg.
A small orchestra of HHS students will be performing and many HHS art students will be on site.
This is a First Fridays event.
In 2011, the HHS art students and staff embarked on the project of publishing their first children’s book, “Sandy the Starfish,” written by Mark Lindamood. Last year, they expanded the project by inviting students to write the book and incorporate locations in Lynchburg as a way of introducing artists to their own backyard. Senior Joseph Link’s tale, “An Acorn Adventure,” was chosen out of several stories. The books have been used as educational tools both for high school students and for elementary students. HHS librarian Kelly Beckham and students deliver books to elementary schools and read to students. The early childhood education students use the books as they develop lesson plans as part of their curriculum.