A Small % of Unsolicited Testimonials
“I hope all is well! Our students (and teachers) absolutely loved your reading pep rally!!!” Liz S, Dorchester PFA, Woodcliff Lake, NJ
"Please accept Hebron Elementary School's sincere gratitude for an exceptional program. So many students and teachers gave rave reviews," Amy Campbell, Principal, Hebron School, Hebron CT
“The children enjoyed watching a wonderful assembly,” Huga Tuga Live!” Joe Shandrowski, an author performed for our school and inspired the children’s imagination through reading,” Mrs. Pagliocca/Mrs. Nass, K, Doyle School, Wood-Ridge, NJ
“Grades PreK-3 through Grade 5, with the help of our librarian, Mrs. Sweeney, had a visit from Huga Tuga. Huga Tuga is “The most highly acclaimed (PreK-Grade 5) author visit around!” The students learned why reading is important and how much fun it can be. Using the magic of theater and teaching children to use their imaginations, Huga Tuga was a great success,” Mrs. Daniels, Principal, St. Therese School
“The Huga Tuga Pep Rally for Reading was a huge hit at Central School. The interactive live performance encouraged students to become lifelong readers. The presenter brought out amazing energy in the students as they were encouraged to use their imagination throughout the performance.” Central School, Pride in Our School Paper
"The students and teachers keep telling me all day about how wonderful your visit was today. They all loved it! A 3rd grade referenced your triangle of Reading-Imagination-Writing to one of the 3rd-grade teachers. You definitely inspired and made a GREAT impression!" Sandy Bargiel, LMS, Franklin Borough School, NJ
"Thanks to our PTA for bringing the "Huga Tuga Pep Rally" assembly program to Abbey as we celebrate PARP!" Abbey Lane School Facebook, Levittown, NY
"The grades 3 through 5 show stressed the relevance of reading in order to stimulate the imagination. For the younger group, Joe told the story of his Wonder Series sea monster, Huga Tuga, using colorful props and role-playing. Both groups left the performance more excited about reading and writing and the importance of their imaginations," Carpenter School (school newspaper), Old Bridge, NJ
“Children’s author Joe Shandrowski was a terrific addition to our schedule, sharing his books about “Huga Tuga” and his insights into using imagination and determination to succeed, whether in or outside of school,” Maureen Tuohy, Principal, Our Lady of Sorrow School, Hamilton, NJ
“Kudos to our PTA Curriculum Enrichment for arranging our recent author’s visit by Joe Shandrowski. Students in grades K-2 were entertained with his book stories as well as his artist rendition of Reading!” N. Mianus PTA, Greenwich CT
"I wanted to thank you for an amazing show. The kids and teacher had a great time!!!" Denise A (PTA/PARP), West Gates School, Lindenhurst, NY
"Thank you for the wonderful performance at our school," Carol K, Ox Ridge School PTO, Darien CT
“Students in grades Pre-K through 8 were treated to a fun assembly today called "Huga Tuga Live! Pep Rally for Reading". Author Joe Shandrowski shared the tale of Huga Tuga, a magical blue sea monster by bringing it to life with his storytelling and props for our younger students. Our 5th through 8th graders learned more about the writing process and what it means to be a writer. It was a great morning! "Reading Rocks!" St. Aidan School, Williston Park NY
“To help motivate our students to become members of our school's Library Hall of Fame, students in grades Prek-6 met beloved author, Joseph Shandrowski, the creator of Huga Tuga. Students were engaged by his remarkable storytelling talent and given an insight into the creative process which brings this fun-loving creature to life. Students were left with a special message: Reading Rocks!" St. William the Abbot School, Seaford NY
“Today, students enjoyed the Huga Tuga Pep Rally, a KEHSA sponsored student assembly in which an author shared his work through storytelling, movement, and use of special effects. Students danced along to a light show, helped to create a cartoon character, and exercised their imaginations. Joe, the author, showed how important creativity is in reading and writing, and spread the message that any one of us can be an author if we use our imagination," Kinnelon HSA, Kinnelon, NJ
“On March 9th, we had a fabulous cultural arts program. Author and storyteller, Joe Shandrowski, visited our school and shared his talents with us. We had a pep rally for reading. The children were active participants throughout his program and kept them engaged,” Mrs. Blasiak & Mrs. Kulmann, Teachers, Burr School, Higganum, CT
"Thanks so much for the amazing performances today. Teachers were praising you for your powerful reading message. I'm spreading the word about your positive messages around reading and writing And what an amazing job you do with differentiating the performances for grades K-2 and grades 3-5," Karen C, Reading Specialist, Live Oaks School, Milford CT
“On Tuesday morning we attended our kick-off assembly for PARP, called Hugga Tugga. The author that visited us, Joe Shandrowski, sure did get us excited about reading,” Mrs. Pisani, Gr4, Moreau School, S. Glens Falls, NY
"Thank you for your great performance this morning! The early show for the K-2 group kept the group mesmerized for the entire performance. They interacted, danced, laughed and really enjoyed the book, props and you! The later show for grades 3-5 engaged the kids (and adults) and was interesting, informative and educational. You have quite a gift to share and may have inspired some future authors and illustrators. I will highly recommend and endorse this show to other PTA's in Middletown. Please feel free to use Wesley as a reference. Thank you for a great experience for our kids!" Phrances Szewczyk, Wesley School, Middletown, CT
"In my many years as a teacher, I have never experienced an author/enrichment performance as extraordinary as Reading Rocks Live! Your (Joe Shandrowski) energy, enthusiasm and natural ability to grasp the attention of the children (K-5) was truly astonishing to watch," Robin Feeney, Teacher, Bolton School, Bolton, CT
"Our overall student AND teacher response to Joe's visit was incredibly positive. In fact, we only had positive, delighted responses! Joe was a big hit. The 3rd and 4th-grade teachers were very impressed by the positive message Joe imparted regarding the need for high volume reading and how voluminous reading and quality writing are directly related," Judy N, Teacher, Haddam School, Higganum CT
"Awe-Inspiring! This program has to be at the top of every school's author visit list. Even if we scheduled the author of Harry Potter - it wouldn't have compared to this performance!" Jeanine May, PTA/HSA, Stratford CT
"Thank you so much! You truly have a great talent! The children, teachers, my assistant principal and principal absolutely loved the performance. Everyone is still talking about it. You truly left us all mesmerized. It was also wonderful dealing with you," Marcella Sweeney, Teacher, The Academy of St. Therese, Cresskill, NJ
"The teachers raved about this. So much better than the typical author visit," Ruth Regan, LMS, Cottle School, Tuckahoe, NY
"The program was right on the mark. Perfect!" The Veronica Wilkerson, Principal, North Stonington School, N. Stonington, CT
"I highly recommend this program. It was truly something special," Joanne Kohm, Reading Specialist, Garden City School, Cranston, RI
"Huga Tuga cultural arts performance was a hit! We had a pep rally for reading because reading rocks!" Notre Dame School, New Hyde Park, NY - Facebook
"I wanted to tell you that the teachers and students I spoke with this afternoon absolutely enjoyed your presentation and message. I also wanted to say that my child was inspired by you today. As soon as she completed her homework, she got out her new notebook and started drawing a "cartoon" of her homework. She is a huge fan of figment from Epcot and loved your message about imagination being very important! Thank you again!" Tracey Mele, PTA, Boyd School, Huntington, NY
"I will highly recommend Huga Tuga Live to all the catholic schools in the area," Cecilia St. John, Principal, St. Dominic School, Oyster Bay NY
"Super Awesome "Reading Rocks!" Pep Rally! Huga Tuga came to celebrate the end of reading week with an interactive pep rally about reading that was informative, imaginative, and celebrated literacy! South School News, New Canaan, CT
"Thanks again for a GREAT assembly on Friday!! The children are still talking about it. My child thinks your new book is GREAT!" Kristen Goetze, Seaford Harbor School, Seaford NY
“When teachers asked the students (K-grade 5) how they enjoyed your performance, the response was an overwhelming “AWESOME”. I especially appreciated how you emphasized how important it is to do LOTS OF READING to develop your imagination,” Debbie Bares, Language Arts Consultant, Botelle School, Norfolk, CT
“This is what an author visit should be about. So many authors come in (charge a high fee) and just show how a book is made and then read a few exerts from their books. Joe’s performance was interactive, creative and most importantly of all, he got the children fired up about reading. To see the grade five student’s on the edge of their seats was something else. I especially loved the way Joe explained to the children why reading is essential when it comes to writing. I never expected it,” Janet McMullin, Davenport Ridge PTA, Stamford, CT
“Our school is interested in having you come in for 2 shows to end PARP. School#2 had great things to say about their experience!" Peggy D, PTA, Oceanside, NY
"My daughter came home after the performance with her Huga Tuga books, she was so excited! She asked if the blue Sea Monster could come live with us with his stories. How could I say no to a kid who is so fired up about reading," Carolyn Leon, Parent, Lordship School - Stratford, CT
"Joe, every teacher and educational performer in this country wishes they had your ability to capture the undivided attention and imagination of the children. It was truly remarkable to watch," Peter Furness, Teacher, Chaffee School, Newington, CT
"Thank you to the PTL for arranging our Huga Tuga literacy assembly. The students really enjoyed this engaging and informative author visit!" Our Lady of Lourdes School, Malverne NY
"Bowling Green School students learned that if they want to become good writers, they must become prolific readers. Such was the advice of Joe Shandrowski, author/illustrator of "Huga Tuga in the Dinosaur Adventure," who explained that reading assists in the understanding of sentence structure, expansion of vocabulary and fueling of the imagination. He also explained that many of the books he has read assisted in his storylines and fueled his imagination on most writing projects. "The foundation of writing is reading," Shandrowski said. "Reading helps to make an original idea creative, interesting and effective." During his theatrical presentation with bubbles, music, lights and the "treasure chest of the imagination," Shandrowski explained how an idea comes to life on a page. He also recommended that students jot down their ideas and allow their ideas to grow through reading," Bowling Green School Newspaper, E. Meadow NY
"I loved the grade 3 & 4 performance. It was absolutely perfect," Rachel Weiss, Assistant Principal, Jeffrey School, Madison, CT
"What a performance! I'm so happy. I have been scheduling enrichment programs for years. Huga Tuga Reading Rocks Live was everything I ever hoped for but never thought I would ever find," Tracy DeCosta, PTO, Ryerson School, Madison, CT
" The children were absolutely mesmerized! If reading is a priority at your school Huga Tuga Reading Rocks Live should be mandatory," Alison Dougherty, LMS, Stevens School, Cromwell, CT
"SMS invited Joe Shandrowski of Huga Tuga Creations to visit its PreK-3 -Grade 5 students for "A Pep Rally in Reading". He asked the students if they thought they could write a book, or illustrate a book, and shared how he went about creating his books, and stories. He told them it all starts with reading-to be a really good writer you need to be a really good reader. Reading sparks imagination. He said, "Dreams are made of imagination, if you follow your imagination, your dreams will come true!" All of the students loved the pep rally--t was truly inspirational! Some of our 3rd-grade students wouldn't let Mr. Shandrowski leave without having a photograph taken with him," St. Mary School (Facebook), Branford CT
“To “kick-off” the week our PreK-2 students met with Joe Shandrowski who is a local author who has published the “Huga Tuga” books. Mr. Shandrowski spent time talking to the students about how he developed his books including the illustrations. His presentation was outstanding and included a display, lights and even dry ice fog to set the stage. Our students were enthralled!" Carole Schloss, Principal - Center School, Ellington, CT
"Your ability to capture the attention and spark the imagination of the K-3 students through your presentation was enjoyed by all. Their minds were racing to the moon and back! Your presentation to grades 4-8 on overcoming challenges and following dreams was inspiring. The feedback from the teachers was very positive. This was a wonderful program that sparked the creative literacy skills of the students. I would highly recommend this to other schools," Cindy Herr, Parent's Association, St. James School - Manchester, CT
“The students were enthralled with your presentation. It was well planned and paced and age-appropriate. As teachers, we were excited that you included the thinking skills of visualization, connection, predicting, and questioning. The kids loved the dancing breaks and sound and visual effects. Most importantly of all, you delivered the message to help create literate students,” Priscilla Eller, Language Arts Specialist, Hayestown School - Danbury, CT
“We have a town-wide PTO meeting coming up. I want to make sure every school in town gets your information. I have never seen our children so enthralled!” Erin Silverman, PTO, King Street School, Danbury, CT
“I’m usually half asleep at the end of most of these author/enrichment programs. Two thumbs up to Joe. Not only did he hold our attention he had everyone on the edge of their seats for 45 minutes,” Matt Fox, Teacher, Valley View School, Portland, CT
"Mr. Shandrowski was unlike any other author that has visited our school (including authors from Scholastic, Random House etc). Instead of merely talking about his craft lecture-style, he had a set with lights, music, and special effects to hold the students’ interest. He adjusted his program for all students, thus both challenging and entertaining students from Kindergarten up to fifth grade. The students and teachers loved his program not only for his message to use your imagination but also for the creativity and “magic” that he used to entertain and engage. I highly recommend the program to every school,” Joanna Teodosio, Teacher/Cultural Arts Director, Calf Pen School - Milford CT
"I just want to say you were a breath of fresh air! I can’t wait for my youngest son to see you “live” someday soon. I’m writing to just say “Thanks” our world needs people like you!” Heidi Johnson, Parent, Brookfield, CT
“Wow! “Thank you so much for visiting our school and making our Readers Celebration such a wonderful success. Huga Tuga is so cool! The children had an awesome experience!" Ellen Levesque, 2nd Grade Teacher - Center School, Ellington, CT
"Joe...thanks for coming to our school. The students loved Huga Tuga!!!"
Catherine Fiorino, Principal, Immaculate Conception School, Lowell, MA
“I just wanted to say thank you for the great performance today at our school. My first-grade class loved it!!” Maria Aparo, Teacher, Webb School, Wethersfield, CT
“I have never seen the children so excited about reading. A pep rally indeed,” Katie Adams, Teacher,” Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Boonton, NJ
"We dove into PARP week, with a visit from the Huga Tuga Pep Rally for Reading!! Special thanks to Brittany & Theresa for putting together such a great PARP Program!" St. James School Facebook, Smithtown, NY
“Mr. Joseph Shandrowski, the author of the HUGA TUGA adventure books, came to Rockwell Elementary School on March 31st for two presentations. The shows were excellent! He talked about how the children can use their imaginations to write and draw. He showed us his newest book and how he wrote the story. He was funny and entertaining and used many props to involve our imaginations. He drew a picture of a cartoon pencil and showed us how he used his imagination to complete the drawing. He was awesome! Our Principal for the Day, Timmy, absolutely loved the show and he recommends the books to everyone!” Brian Kirmil, Principal, Rockwell School, Bethel, CT
“It is people like you that make the beautiful State of Connecticut such a wonderful place to live. Your continuing concern for early childhood literacy education is important to the future of our state. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated,” Governor M. Jodi Rell – State of Connecticut
“Thanks! Great books! Hunter absolutely loved your performance. It is all he talks about,” Sharon Stolze, Parent, Quaker Farms School, Oxford, CT
"PARP Kickoff: To kick-off the school's annual Parents As Reading Partners program, Eastplain Elementary School hosted author Joe Shandrowski. In his Huga Tuga Live Pep Rally for Reading presentation. Mr. Shandrowski took students through the process of creating characters, as well as writing and illustrating his book Huga Tuga and the Seashell Mystery. During his visit, he really stressed to students the importance of their imagination and reading," Plainedge NY, Public School Facebook
