Mrs. Spaulding’s kindergarten class presented “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” to a packed classroom of family members and friends at Boothbay Region Elementary School on Friday, April 7.

The children were charming and impressive; several students had many lines to memorize for the production. The acting Mrs. Spaulding incorporates into the curriculum (in December the class presented “T’was the Night Before Christmas”) for these youngsters is a creative way to reinforce and encourage reading, strengthen memory and stimulate creativity, and is a self-confidence builder. But, most of all, it’s just plain fun to dress up and be a flower, a rabbit, a cat or a ... carrot!

And now for the cast of characters:

The host was Miles Hyson (looking quite dapper in his black suit and top hat adorned by a red flower); Briella Green and Beatrice Wormwood were the flowers in Mr. McGregor’s garden; Cameron Mayotte was one of the carrots in the garden; Shea Fritz was Mother Rabbit, Ava Barter played Flopsy, Alexiyah Poliquin was Mopsy and Olivia Hardwick was Cottontail; Peter was played by Carson Cook. Mr. McGregor (that terrifying rabbit stew lover) was played by Brady Baldwin; Xaviera Hall (my granddaughter) was the cat; Ryder Campbell portrayed mouse, and the sparrows were Bryse Thiboutot, Spencer Wade and Kaden Bishop. 

As we watched these young ones perform, smiles lighting up our faces for the entire 15-minute show (with songs my granddaughter Xaviera can’t stop singing), I couldn’t help but think, this is how it all begins; the developing love of literature, performance and make-believe. And to all these we say BRAVO!