Tag: Chesapeake Bay

Olly is 11 years old!

by Elaine Ann Allen

Olly the Oyster Cleans the Bay, illustrated by the awesomely talented Kelli Nash, was first published by Tidewater Press eleven years ago today. Our amazing editor, Jonna Jones gave Olly a chance to see the world and we owe her many thanks! A year later it was picked up by Schiffer Books. It has been so much fun visiting schools and spreading the word about the importance of oysters! Since then two sequels have been published, Olly’s Treasure and Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as a companion book, Mallory the Forgetful Duck, each highlighting the wonders and beauty of sea life along the Chesapeake Bay. Happy birthday Olly!

For an easy oyster craft activity, click here.

For a crossword puzzle with key vocabulary words, click here.

To find out where to buy a copy, click here.

To schedule an author visit, click here.

Maryland Skipjack Craft

by Elaine Ann Allen
Make a skipjack!
Make a skipjack!

Make these fun skipjacks out of paper towel tubes and recycled paper.

According to the Maryland Sea Grant, skipjacks were made by oystermen over 100 years ago specifically to dredge for oysters. They were named after the skipjack fish because they are quick and agile in the water. There were once over a thousand skipjacks on the Chesapeake Bay. Now there are only about 20 left. And, even less are still actively used to dredge for oysters. Continue reading “Maryland Skipjack Craft” →

Eastport Elementary School

by Elaine Ann Allen
skipjack2
My own Skipjack!

I recently visited students at Eastport Elementary School in Annapolis, Maryland for their “Reading Under the Stars“ night. Special thanks to Kristin Blundell for making it a great visit! I read from my book Olly’s Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay and the children made their own Skipjacks!

Skipjacks were originally built by oystermen over 100 years ago to dredge for oysters on the Chesapeake Bay. Some of these historical boats still sail today! Continue reading “Eastport Elementary School” →

St. Margaret’s Day School

by Elaine Ann Allen
IMG_0597
Busy making Great Blue Herons

I visited the preschoolers at St. Margaret’s Day School in Annapolis, Maryland on Monday and Wednesday. Special thanks to Tricia Hallberg McVeigh for coordinating! I read from my book Olly’s Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay and the children made their own Great Blue Heron stick puppets complete with real blue feathers! Continue reading “St. Margaret’s Day School” →

Book Giveaway!

by Elaine Ann Allen
Enter to win a copy!
Enter to win a copy!

Just in time for summer break! I’m giving away two copies of my new book, Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay, a great summertime book for kids.

This is the third book in the Olly the Oyster series. In this story Olly tours the bay like a sightseer, making new discoveries and new friends. Continue reading “Book Giveaway!” →

Davidsonville Elementary School

by Elaine Ann Allen
Filtering the Water
Filtering the Water

I recently visited Davidsonville Elementary School where I read my book, Olly the Oyster Cleans the Bay, and gave a fun demonstration showing how oysters filter the water in the Chesapeake Bay. The students were so much fun and full of questions! Each student went home with an Olly pencil. Special thanks to Jennifer Keefer for a great day!