Post from Community: Sharp Literacy unveils 16th “We Love to Learn” book | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
SHARP Literacy
April 14, 2021
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SHARP Literacy’s 16 We Love to Learn book, The Didactic, was unveiled at Notre Dame School of Milwaukee today by Lynda Kohler, President/CEO of SHARP Literacy, and students who contributed to the book’s development. The Didactic was written by Ian Corrao, illustrated by Ian and Amber Corrao, and researched by 60 fourth-grade students from Notre Dame School of Milwaukee and Rogers Street Academy. Students from Rogers Street participated in unveiling today virtually. SHARP’s new We Love to Learn book is being used by 4 grade students participating in SHARP’s Design Through Code program during the 2020/2021 academic year.
The Didactic takes SHARP Literacy’s popular book series in an exciting new direction, according to Lynda Kohler. “Our 16 We Love to Learn book is completely different from stories we’ve published in the past. It’s a futuristic graphic novel with teen-age characters who use their debugging computer skills to make a difference in another world.” Kohler went to say, “The Didactic is so much more than a thought-provoking story about technology and a futuristic society, though. The book’s characters embark on a journey that requires teamwork, problem-solving, creative thinking and collaboration – attributes that are integral to SHARP’s education program. It complements our successful Design Through Code curriculum, and we’re excited to share it with students.”
SHARP’s new book transports young readers to the planet of Mamberrie, which is home to two distinctly different species. The Lobos, wolf-like beings, who depend on technology even as their power resources are fading, and the Cervians, deer-like beings, who are focused on nature, the environment and protection from the elements. Despite living on the same planet, the two species couldn’t be more different. Meanwhile, Commander Stephanie and her students aboard the spaceship Didactic receive a scrambled message from planet Mamberrie. Readers follow the space students on their journey to decipher the message using their decoding, debugging and engineering skills. Problem-solvers at their core, the students find ways to help the Cervians and Lobos and ultimately save Mamberrie.  Enhancing the reading experience, this We Love to Learn book includes a variety of colorful graphic illustrations inspired by participating students and created by Ian and Amber Corrao.
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The Didactic is currently available for purchase on SHARP’s website. For more information, visit
sharpliteracy.org/support-the-future/purchase-books/the-didactic/.
SHARP Literacy wishes to thank the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Mary L. Nohl Fund for their support of Discover Waukesha. In addition, SHARP Literacy is grateful to Herzfeld Foundation, Northwestern Mutual, Quad, Rockwell Automation, and Yabuki Family Foundation, for their support.
SHARP Literacy, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Milwaukee nonprofit educational program whose mission is to partner with educators to foster a love of learning and advance children’s futures through innovative STEAM-based experiences and programs. The primary goal of SHARP Literacy is to provide elementary school students with an imaginative learning experience that builds confidence, self-esteem, and a greater awareness of the world.  In 2020/2021, SHARP Literacy, Inc. will impact growth in foundational literacy skills in thousands of elementary school students and educators in 36 schools across Milwaukee, Racine and Waukesha.  For more information, visit www.sharpliteracy.org.