Purdue employee helps kids discover University through 'BoilerMAKER' book
November 14, 2014
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Brooke Linn, author of "BoilerMAKER: Discovering Purdue University," reads to local children during an event organized by the Barbara Cook Chapter of Mortar Board on Wednesday (Nov. 12) in Purdue Memorial Union. (Purdue University photo/Matt Thomas) |
When she was teaching second grade in Crawfordsville from 2006 to 2011, Brooke Linn would ask her students each year if they were familiar with Purdue.
Each year, about half the class raised their hands.
"It always amazed me that, even with the close proximity, every child hadn't at least heard of our University," says Linn, who is an alumna and assistant director of student services in the College of Pharmacy.
"But the results were always consistent, and that sparked an idea for a children's storybook. My goal formed from there: to teach kids about higher education and get them excited about Purdue and the idea of going to college."
Now, Linn is the author of "BoilerMAKER: Discovering Purdue University," an illustrated children's book recently published through Mascot Books, a Virginia publisher. On Wednesday (Nov. 12), Linn participated in an event held by the Barbara Cook Chapter of Mortar Board at Purdue Memorial Union, where she will read her book -- and other local teachers, coaches and Purdue staff members also will read -- to more than 150 local children.
"BoilerMAKER" tells the story of Maddie, a little girl who is visiting campus for the first time with her mother. Throughout the book, Maddie learns about Purdue degree programs and the wide range of careers open to the University's graduates.
What's more, the book includes a curriculum guide for teachers who'd like to use the book in their classrooms, and it provides a guide for families who'd like to use it to teach their children.
The book is a family affair in one additional way: Linn's two sisters, who also are Purdue alumnae, were instrumental in creating it. Brandy Montague, a freelance designer in Los Angeles, illustrated the book, and Brianne Schutter, a licensed associate marriage and family therapist, created the book's family guide.
In addition to the Barbara Cook Chapter of Mortar Board, Linn is working with several other groups to share the book with local children. They include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lafayette, the Lyn Treece Boys & Girls Club and Hanna Community Center. In the future, Linn says, she likely will work with student groups on campus to expand upon the book's exploration of various academic areas and the careers to which they lead.
In the spring, Linn plans to reach out to local elementary schools to gauge their interest in using the book as part of curricula.
"For me, this is not as much about the promoting the book as it is about getting the word out about how it can be used for educational purposes and infusing excitement about Purdue," Linn says.
"BoilerMAKER" is available in campus bookstores as well as online. More information about the book can be found at www.boilermakermaddie.com.
Writer: Amanda Hamon Kunz, 49-61325, ahamon@purdue.edu
