Library News
Librarian: Eddie Kuykendall
Conference: 11:45 - 12:45
Email: ekuykendall@conroeisd.net
Embedded Files
We're very excited to announce our next Author visit! Michael Patrick O'Neill, author of many non-fiction books, will visit our school on November 10, 2025.
Michael Patrick O'Neill
Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Michael is an award-winning photographer, author and FAA Certified (Part 107) drone pilot specializing in marine wildlife and environmental issues. He lives in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and for the last 33 years has traveled extensively worldwide photographing diverse aquatic animals, habitats and man's impact on them.
He has written and photographed nine non-fiction marine life books designed to encourage school children to read, write and become involved in science and conservation. They have received outstanding reviews from School Library Journal and are distributed nationally in the educational system. To learn more about his books, please visit Batfish Books. When not making photographs or writing, he is on the lecture circuit promoting a greater appreciation for the natural world, especially the oceans and their inhabitants. He has presented to over 500,000 kids in more than 500 schools in the US in the last 20 years.
His images have appeared in hundreds of publications worldwide including BBC Wildlife, National Geographic Magazine, and The New York Times, among many others, and have won the most prestigious competitions, including World Press Photo, Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Pictures of the Year (POY).
During his visit, signed and personalized copies of his gorgeous, hard-cover ocean books will be available for purchase. These books offer a wonderful opportunity for students to engage with exciting marine life topics and prepare for an educational and inspiring author visit. Please complete this form to pre-order books, which will be signed and delivered to the school. Thank you for supporting this exciting author visit! We look forward to an engaging and educational experience for our students.
Ordering Instructions
• Please complete one form per purchaser (parent, guardian, or teacher).
• Indicate the quantity of each book and the name(s) for personalization.
• Enclose payment (cash or check payable to Batfish Books).
• Return this form to your child’s teacher by October 31st to ensure delivery by the author visit.
• Contact the school Librarian, Mr. K, for late order instructions: ekuykendall@conroeisd.net or 936-709-8409
Book Order Form for Author Visit Updated.docxClick on the upper right hand corner to print the page.
Haga clic en la esquina superior derecha para imprimir la página.
All proceeds from the Book Fair will be used to purchase new Library books, book an Author visit and bring back Main St. Theater in the Spring. My ultimate goal is to spread the love of reading among our students, staff and parents. Thank you for supporting the Scholastic Book Fair!
Birthday Book Club
Austin Elementary School Library has a Birthday Book Club! The purpose of the club is to honor your child’s birthday by donating a book to the Austin Elementary Library that will become part of the library’s collection.
Birthday Book Club members are invited to a party that will be held in the Library. Parties will be held twice a semester. (October, December, March & May, 2025-2026) Your child’s birthday does not have to fall in the same month as the celebration. All summer birthdays will be celebrated as well. At the party, your child will select their birthday book from a special collection of brand new books. A dedication sticker with the child’s name, birthday, & the name(s) of the person(s) dedicating the book will be permanently placed inside the book.
Students will be presented with their Birthday Book and they will have their pictures taken for our Birthday Book Club Hall of Fame Wall. Your child will be the first to check out the book from the library and may enjoy it for up to two weeks before returning it to the library so that other children may then check it out. This is such a unique and personal way to say “Happy Birthday,” and at the same time add wonderful new books to our library.
The Birthday Book Club membership is a $20.00 donation. This price includes the cost of a library bound book for our library. (Library bound books are stronger and more durable than other books.) If you would like your child to join the Birthday Book Club, please complete the form below and send it in with the $20.00 donation. We accept cash or checks made payable to Austin Elementary. Please remember CISD requires a driver’s license number and date of birth on all checks. You may also pay online using the following link (A $1 service fee will be added to the transaction.): https://conroeisd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/69666/195/False/True
A Birthday Book Club invitation will be sent to the student’s homeroom prior to the party as a reminder. Feel free to call or email me with any questions. (936) 709-8409 or ekuykendall@conroeisd.net. I look forward to honoring your child’s birthday!
Thank You,
Eddie Kuykendall
Birthday-Book-Club.docxClick on the upper right hand corner to print the page.
Haga clic en la esquina superior derecha para imprimir la página.
Birthday Book Club Part 1 .mp4This is one of many Birthday Book Club celebrations we've had at Austin Elementary!
Participation has been so amazing that I had to schedule two celebrations. Our Birthday Book Club celebrations will be held on Wednesday, October 29th and Thursday, October 30th. We're celebrating ALL birthdays. The students' birthday does not have to fall in October. Thank you for supporting the Library!
Page updated
Report abuse