To celebrate Black History Month, Trewyn School is excited to welcome Carlos Walker, an inspiring author and artist from Virginia. Thanks to the Readers are Leaders – Reading Buddy Initiative, Mr. Walker will visit Trewyn School’s auditorium on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. to share his book with third, fourth, and fifth grade students. Family and friends of Peoria Public Schools are also invited to attend this special event.
Mr. Walker is the talented author behind "The Autobiography of the Butterfly: How the Caterpillar Made It Through."
This story is about growth, hope, and transformation—important lessons for all students. During his visit, Mr. Walker will read from his book, talk about his own journey, and answer student questions. Every student in attendance will receive a free, autographed copy of the book to take home.
Reading Buddy Initiative
The Reading Buddy Initiative is a meaningful tradition at Trewyn School, connecting students with caring mentors from the Peoria community. Reading Buddies provide encouragement, support, and serve as positive role models, helping students discover the joy of reading.
If you are interested in making a difference, we encourage new volunteers to become Reading Buddies for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at Trewyn. The time commitment is just one hour per week, but the impact lasts a lifetime. To learn more or to volunteer, please contact Rosemary McCullough at rmtimelynews@gmail.com.
To continue the conversation at home, parents can ask:
What did you learn from Mr. Walker’s story?
How do you think the caterpillar’s journey relates to your own life?
What was it like to meet a real author?
If you were the artist for this book, what would you draw to help tell the story?
Thank you!
This event would not be possible without the support of Concerned African American Retirees (CAAR), Manual High School Alumni Student Recognition Association (MASRA), Zion Baptist Church, and the African American Hall of Fame Museum (AAHFM). We sincerely thank these organizations for their ongoing generosity, dedication, and commitment to our students’ success.
We look forward to an inspiring day of reading, learning, and growing together!