Demarest School: Potatoes as Literary Characters

The discussion about mashed vs. baked was completely circumvented this past Halloween, when Rosemary Vetrano issued a casting call for "Potatoes Dressed As Literary Characters."

Vetrano, Media Specialist at Demarest Elementary School, created the First Annual Potato Contest to celebrate Halloween and the results were, um, spud-tacular.

“I was looking for ideas for Halloween online and found this on one of my networks for librarians.  I opened the contest to anyone, student or staff, who wanted to create or decorate or dress a potato as their favorite book character.  We got so many wonderful ideas!” said Vetrano.

Approximately ninety potatoes were submitted and remained on display in the library for a few days.  “We had everyone from Little Red Riding Hood to present day fictional characters like Shrek and Harry Potter,” said Mary Todaro, Principal.  “It’s a great way to promote literacy and to get parents talking about reading with their kids.”

Some of the entries inclueded Captain Underpants; David from the No David! books by David Shannon; a potato from the Victoria Kann book, Pinkalicious; Fancy Nancy potatoes; Eric Carle's the Very Hungry Catepillar; the Cat from Rob Scotton's Splat the Cat; the Cat in the Hat; and Corduroy.

“I created one of my favorite characters from E.B. White's Charlotte's Web – Wilbur the Pig,” said Vetrano, who said she shopped for her potato with the character in mind and chose one that “looked like Wilbur.”

Nearly 300 votes were cast by the school community and prizes were given to potato makers per grade (or grade combos) as well as staff.

Kindergarten:  Anthony Tafaro

First Grade:  Fatima Villagran

Second Grade:  Sarah Shanker

Grades3-4:  Ryan Fen (4th)

Grades 5-6:  Chevyonne Armstrong (6th)

Mrs. Cerrato's Class:  Nick Torster

Teachers:   Mrs. Maliacano  (4th Grade)

Vetrano considers the contest a, um, smash. “This was a fun, spirit lifting event.  We've decided we want to make this an annual fall contest.  I've already heard some plotting about which character they want to make for next year.”

Principal Todaro agreed.  “It was great to have the potatoes on display.  Although after a bit we had to get rid of them,” she laughed.  “They started to rot.”