Laughter bounced around the bookshelves in the circular library
at Jackson Elementary School as author Dave Keane screeches out, in
character as
”
Joe Sherlock,
”
kid detective,
”
I’ve got ants in my pants!
”
Morgan Hill – Laughter bounced around the bookshelves in the circular library at Jackson Elementary School as author Dave Keane screeches out, in character as “Joe Sherlock,” kid detective, “I’ve got ants in my pants!”
Jackson Principal Karen Tavares laughed along with the teachers and parents in the crowd, commenting on Keane’s unique style.
“He really pulls them in to the story,” she said of the students. “But he’s entertaining to all of us.”
Keane enlivened the school day for Jackson students at the end of May, days before his fifth book in the popular children’s series was released at a signing June 1 at BookSmart in Morgan Hill.
“Joe Sherlock, Kid Detective, Case 000005: The Art Teacher’s Vanishing Masterpiece,” went on sale Friday to much fanfare, according to BookSmart co-owner Brad Jones.
“We had a wonderful crowd here, everyone was really excited about him being here; he’s such an affable, humorous, lighthearted guy,” Jones said Monday. “We sold 218 books, and he autographed until his poor hand was cramped. He has really developed a fan base that just adore him.”
Adoration and enthusiasm were evident as fourth, fifth and sixth grade students listened to Keane read from his second book, “Case 000002: The Neighborhood Stink.” Keane, who does his own illustrations, also demonstrated for the students how he draws his characters, with a lighthearted commentary that filled the room with giggles as he drew.
“What a great day it was for all,” said Jackson parent Nancy Love, who brought her camera to snap pictures not only of Keane but also of the students’ reactions. “He stayed well past the last bell signing books for excited children. This visit will be remembered for a long time to come.”
Love said Keane also spent additional time with Jackson teacher Catherine Rivard’s 3rd grade class; the students are studying the process of writing books, and Keane offered helpful pointers.
Growing up in San Jose as the middle child of seven brothers may have given him some material for his book, but now that he is a father himself, with two daughters and one son, there is always fresh new material.
While at Jackson, he shared with the students how he draws from his experiences with his children, and said particularly the attitude of his older daughter is curiously similar to the posturing of Joe Sherlock’s older sister.
Jones said one of the things that makes Keane so popular with kids and adults alike is the attention he gives to individuals.
“One of the greatest things about Dave is you can have 200 folks or more in line for a signing, and he makes each person feels very special,” he said. “But something else that is important to know about him is that his thing is getting kids to read. He’s like Dav Pilkey (author of the “Captain Underpants” series) and other famous children’s authors in that his books have some meaning in them, but they are fun, they get kids excited about reading.”
