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Baby Boomers Gift Back to their Roots
Sandy Banks, Los Angeles Times 

Friday, February 15, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., Baldwin Hills Elementary School in Los Angeles will be celebrating the grand opening of a new “Wonder of Reading” library at the school.  “Wonders of Reading” is a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to inspire in children the love of reading. The event has attracted interest beyond the local community because the year happens to mark two important anniversaries.

To celebrate their 60th birthdays, nineteen members of the 1960 graduating class of Baldwin Hills Elementary School gathered to determine a way that they could give back to the school that was such an important part of each of their lives.  When they found out about the school’s new library, they decided this offered the perfect opportunity to say “thanks for the memories.”  The event was all the more appropriate because one of the class members, Carol Ross Edmonston, has a very special connection to children’s literature.

As it turns out, Carol is the niece of the late prolific children’s author and cartoonist, Syd Hoff and this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the beloved children’s classic, “Danny and the Dinosaur,” which has sold over 10 million copies worldwide since its release in 1958.

Carol and another class member, Phyllis Krieger Rosecrans, contacted principal JoAnne Polite who was delighted at their interest.  Carol then contacted Hoff’s publisher, Harper Collins who will gladly donate a special collection of Syd Hoff books plus additional reading materials, along with a surprise gift.  The class of 1960 donated an additional $1,960 to be used to help purchase bookshelves, tables and chairs for the new library.

The dedication’s festivities will include presentations by the children with a processional walk to the new library escorted by the “dinosaur” (Danny was unable to attend).  Sixteen members of the 1960 class will be present, coming from as far away as OR, AZ and UT.  The rest of the classmates reside in the greater Los Angeles, Orange County, San Bernardino and San Diego areas.

This event also marks the first school in this country to honor the 50th anniversary of Danny and the Dinosaur. (See pictures below)

Principal (Mrs Polite) presenting the class of 1960 with a plaque in appreciation for supporting the new Wonder of Reading Library. (from left: Dr. Don Lipkis, Carol Edmonston and Mrs Polite) Class of 1960 participants		Danny the Dinosaur makes an appearance
		Danny the Dinosaur entertains childern at The Wonder of Reading Celebration

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