Matt Damon, teacher-librarian and author

In Bellview Elementary School library today, teacher-librarian Matt Damon led children through an exciting rendition of Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock (from Eric A. Kimmel’s retelling of the traditional African folktale).

Encouraging hand gestures to differentiate the characters, Damon used the story to introduce children to the library’s folklore and fairy tale collection.

Damon’s tenure with the Ashland schools includes teaching third-grade and P.E.

Of peak interest to children was Damon’s own book, The Fall of General Custard: Or the Overthrow of a Leftover (White Cloud Press, July, 2016, illustrated by Gideon Kendall). Copies of his book will soon be available for check-out through Bellview library, and Damon plans to share with children, the process that created his book.

Damon is scheduled to read his book aloud during Stories Alive’s Back to School Festival, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Lithia Park Butler Bandshell. After the reading, festival-goers are invited to join a food fight led by characters from the book.

Stories Alive transforms children’s original stories into artistic performances. Proceeds from Saturday’s festival will benefit Stories Alive and the Ashland Schools Foundation.