Lower School students and their families gathered in the Mother Mary Campion Center for the Performing Arts on May 7, 2026, for Oak Knoll’s annual Family Literacy Night, which featured a theme centered on Mo Willems’ beloved Elephant and Piggie children’s book series.

Students and their families participated in a reading of “I Am Invited to a Party!” while practicing expressive, fluent reading, with teachers holding up speech bubbles, as in the book. Teachers also acted out scenes from the story, creating a joyful and collaborative reading experience for students and their families.

Following the reading, families gathered in the Aileen Maury Dining Hall for themed crafts and activities, including Elephant and Piggie lanterns, puppets, and original student-created books inspired by the characters.

“The excitement for literacy was electric tonight,” said Lower School Reading Specialist Cristina Hammond. “You could feel the energy! Literacy is a gift, and when we share this gift with others, we have the power to touch someone’s heart in a deep and meaningful way.”