Children's Author and Illustrator Ben Clanton Visits Northwood Elementary

Mercer Island, WA, March 23, 2023 – Children’s book author and illustrator Ben Clanton visited Northwood Elementary on Thursday afternoon.

Ben is an author and illustrator best known for his Narwhal and Jelly books. Ben has written or illustrated over 25 children’s books.

Northwood librarian Molly Harnish introduced Ben to the kindergarteners and first graders at the school. Ben started the visit by asking the students what should be in his next book. The answers he received included dragons, donuts…and potatoes?

Ben has visited Island Park and Lakeridge this year and his visits have been made possible by a grant from the Mercer Island Schools Foundation.

The Mercer Island Schools Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) public service, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing and improving the quality of education provided to ALL Mercer Island School District students by obtaining contributions for the public schools.

Started in 1981, the Foundation has raised over $26 million thanks to the generous community.

Since its founding, the Foundation has become the catalyst for the Mercer Island community to guarantee every teacher has access to the most up-to-date, innovative educational materials that guarantee exceptional teaching and learning experiences for every student.

The tremendous success of the organization lies in the simple fact that the Mercer Island Schools Foundation was born in a community that places value on quality education. Learn more about the impact of our community’s commitment to education.