After reading The Teacher Who Would Not Retire, my first grade inclusion class fell in love with Mrs. Belle. They had so many questions and they wanted to meet the authors. We wrote them a fan letter. This past April my class was fortunate to have Miss L. and Miss S. Sustrin visit. They read one of their books to the class.

Miss L. and Miss S. explained how they came up with the idea for their books and how long it took them to write them. They discussed what the author and the illustrator do. The authors explained the publishing process and how long it takes for a book to be published. Before they read the book Miss L. and Miss S. reviewed the chant and had the children recite it with them. They also explained that when the chant appears in the story we were all to say it. As my class was first grade Miss L. and Miss S. also explained any concepts / vocabulary that might have been new (ever being first grade teachers!). After the story Miss L. and Miss S. answered any questions the children had.

The children thoroughly enjoyed their visit and learned so much about the book making process. They were so excited they got to meet real authors. This was the highlight of our year in first grade!

The guest speakers, a charming and entertaining duo who authored a children’s book about a retiring teacher, kept us all amused with their tales of unretiring. Sheila and Letty Sustrin take on retirement from the teaching profession through the eyes of their literary character, Mrs. Belle.

“Retirement was the worst day of our lives” according to Sheila (or was it Letty?). The twins were impossible to tell apart.. Writing their book is just an excuse to go back to school. In fact, one of their students thought they were “back from vacation.” Apparently kids don’t understand retirement. Their extended family now includes former students, parents, and now rotary members.

Their sequel, “Mrs. Belle Goes To Camp” comes out shortly. “We see you here, We see you there, We see your slippers everywhere” is not just a description of Mrs. Belle, it describes Sheila and Letty Sustrin.

Elementary school teacher Mrs. Belle is off to summer camp to be the Head Counselor. The eccentric Mrs. Belle insists on wearing ballet slippers for all the camp events and activities (including hiking, bowling and scuba diving!) which is plunging the camp kids, staff and the owner Mr. Rivera into upheaval and disorder. Can the children devise a compromise between Mrs. Belle and Mr. Rivera (who wants her to be in normal, sensible shoes) that will take into account Mrs. Belle’s sore feet?

Imaginatively written for readers ages 4 to 104 by Sheila and Letty Sustrin, and energetically illustrated with the artwork of Thomas H. Bone III, The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Goes To Camp is a unique, original, and superbly presented picturebook whose story and imagery will capture the delighted attention of readers from first page to last.

On April 24, 2007, Harbor Country Day School was honored with a visit from Sheila and Letty Sustrin. During the visit, the sisters held separate workshops with the pre-school students, kindergarten students, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. It was in the scope of these workshops that they discussed their books with them ("The Teacher Who Would Not Retire" and "The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Goes To Camp").

I was extremely impressed with their keen ability to tailor each workshop to the children's appropriate age level. They engaged the children immediately, and the 40 minutes allotted to each group flew by! Their organization and ability to relate to the children was admirable. It was such a joy having them come to our school that we can only hope they will come back again next school year.

Dear Sustrin Sisters:

Thank you so much for presenting during last week's Day of Wonder at Forest Avenue School. I have received so much positive feedback from the students, teachers, and parents. This wonderful event could not have been possible without you! You were so generous to share your time and talent with the students of Forest Avenue School and your generosity is greatly appreciated!

On behalf of everyone at Forest Avenue School, I thank you!

The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Discovers a New Planet by Sheila and Letty Sustrin,
Illustrations by Thomas H. Bone III

Recommended by Susan Peterson, Twin Pines Elementary School, Brentwood, NY, School Librarian
Suitable for: K-5

Why I chose this book: The authors have created an exciting story about the main character, Mrs. Belle, discovering a new planet. The President invites Mrs. Belle to go to space school so she can join the space team as they go into orbit. With each turn of the page young readers will feel the excitement mount as the heroine prepares for the space expedition. The illustrations in this book are clear and brightly colored, and will appeal to young and old alike.

How teachers can use this book: Teachers can use this book to launch a unit on the solar system. The book includes a letter from a teacher who participated in summer space camp. Both the letter and the book are rich with science vocabulary. This story could also be used as a prompt for students to create and write about their own planet complete with scientific properties.

What I liked best: In the books, The Teacher Who Would Not Retire and The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Goes to Camp, Mrs. Belle is a feisty character with a genuine regard for her students. She is warm, funny, and intelligent. In this latest epic Mrs. Belle is true to form right down to her wardrobe of ballet slippers and she does not disappoint her readers.

The latest installment in the wonderfully upbeat "The Teacher Who Would Not Retire", The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Discovers a New Planet is a children's picturebook about the enthusiastic Mrs. Belle, who does not let her age (or her profession!) dissuade her from embarking on exciting adventures. Mrs. Belle not only discovers a new planet - she also prepares for a space voyage to visit it! "For the first week, Mrs. Belle, Mr. Rivera, Kitty Belle, and Magic went through a very hard training period. They had to get in good shape for their trip to outer space. Each night, the children watched as the astronauts in training jumped hurdles, did pushups, ran the 100-yard dash, and even climbed ropes up to the ceiling."

Exuberant, cartoon-style color illustrations enhance this delightful storybook, with sufficiently detailed and involved text to be ideal for young people who are almost ready to make the transition from picturebooks to chapter books. "The Teacher Who Would Not Retire" is an excellent choice for children's public library collections, or just for read-aloud storytime. Also highly recommended are the previous series installments, "The Teacher Who Would Not Retire" (0967560239, $16.00) and "The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Goes To Camp" (0967460271, $17.00).

To Whom It May Concern,
It has been our great pleasure to have twin authors Sheila and Letty Sustrin visit our school to share their book series with us, The Teacher Who Would Not Retire. These delightful authors engaged all of our students with their wonderful tales of "Mrs. Belle" and the amazing adventures she continues to have with her students even after retirement.

Your students and teachers will thoroughly enjoy this wonderful literacy experience as these talented educators share their love for children and for reading through their charming stories.

Dear Sheila & Letty Sustrin,
I would like to thank you both for a wonderful author visit on April 14, 2009. The children and staff enjoyed your presentation and you.

It was evident to all how much you love children and treasure them. You charmed our students from your greeting to your farewell.

You were so gracious during the luncheon with several of our second graders. The children could feel your love and respect.

We look forward to a visit in the future.

To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter on behalf of Letty and Sheila Sustrin. They are retired elementary school teachers who in retirement have become authors. We recently invited them to our school for our Author Visit that we do each year.

The Sustrin sisters are the authors of "The Teacher Who Would Not Retire" series featuring the lovable Mrs. Belle! These twin sisters are also very lovable and endearing themselves! Prior to their visit, our teachers exposed the students to their work and involved them in various activities. On the day of the program, the children were eager to welcome the Sustrin sisters to their school!

Letty and Sheila Sustrin were able to engage students from kindergarten to fifth grade with their stories and audience involvement. They provided each grade level with their own presentation which allowed them to truly cater it to that age's specific ability. The Sustrin sisters presented each teacher with a folder of extension activities and reproducibles for their books. This is a generous and valuable resource that they share.

The Sustrin sisters were most enjoyable to all of the classes. Both students and teachers benefited from their visit to our school. I would encourage others to welcome them into their school!

The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Becomes a Movie Star is the fourth book in the popular "The Teacher Who Would Not Retire" series, following the adventures of energetic, high gumption Mrs. Belle, who proves that age is no barrier to embarking on new adventures! Bright, colorful cartoony illustrations fill this engaging story in which Mrs. Belle is nominated in an "Everybody's Favorite Teacher" contest and wins. The prize? A biography of her life will be filmed in her home town, with Mrs. Belle playing herself! The text of this uproarious and cheerful story is sufficiently detailed to appeal to young people who are almost ready to move on from picturebooks to chapter books. The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Becomes a Movie Star is a treasury of whimsey and fun, highly recommended.

There's another series I have been following called "The Teacher Who Would Not Retire" and in this one she Becomes a Movie Star" ($17.95, Blue Marlin Publishers). In others she discovers a new planet and goes to camp in stories told by Sheila and Letty Sustrin with illustrations by Thomas H. Bone III. When a Hollywood film study holds a contest for student's favorite teacher, Mrs. Belle wins and her adventure begins. The story and artwork will keep younger readers turning the pages to find out what happens next.

To Whom it May Concern:

It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation for Letty and Sheila Sustrin.

Mmes. Sustrin and Sustrin were guest authors at Hemlock Park Elementary during Reading Stampede Week, March 2013. Each grade received a copy of their first three books prior to their visit. These books were read aloud. Students were familiar with the main character, Mrs. Belle, and her ballet slipper trademark. During the author visit, Mmes. Sustrin and Sustrin read their latest book, The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Becomes a Movie Star. They included a shared reading component and highlighted unfamiliar vocabulary words. The students were engaged, active participants.

Ms L. and Ms. S. Sustrin were personable and geared their presentation to students in UPK and grades 1 - 5. They talked about the importance of writing about what you know, caring for books and using a bookmark. Each student received a Mrs. Belle bookmark as a gift.

Without hesitation, I recommend Ms. Letty and Ms. Sheila Sustrin for an author visit. They were professional, accommodating, and truly love being educators.

If I can be of any further assistance, do not hesitate to contact me at 631-434-2451.

To Whom it May Concern:

On March 18. 2013 we had the pleasure of having the Sustrin Sisters at our school to kick-off our P.A.R.P. celebration. Their assembly program was both informative and engaging for all of the students ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade. The children especially loved having them read their newest book, "The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Becomes a Movie Star". In addition, they provided the teachers with follow-up activities for their classes and offered autographed copies of their books to the children for a very nominal cost. Sheila and Letty Sustrin were wonderful to work with. Their program was well organized and they were very accommodating to our schools needs. I would definitely recommend their program to other elementary schools.

Dear Miss S. and Miss L. Sustrin,

Thank you very much for sharing your new, fabulous book The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Becomes a Movie Star. Your presentation was fantastic! Ms. Pinto has shared all of your books in a series with us and WE LOVE ALL OF YOUR AMAZING BOOKS!!!!!

In The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Becomes a Movie Star, our favorite part is when Mr. Rivera drops all of Mrs. Belle's new ballet shoes. We thought the part when Mrs. Belle was a baby in a baby carriage was hysterical!!!!

We look forward to another new adventure for Mrs. Belle. Thank you for being such awesome authors and we Love Thomas Bone III's illustrations, too.

You have inspired us to write our own Autobiography's and we will be writing Biographies about each other.

Thank you again!

Love,
Ms. Pinto's MAGNIFICENT 2nd Grade CLASS