Students and staff at H.H. Garnet Elementary School wave and hold up signs for Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson as they drive by for a farewell visit in their brightly painted bus.
CHESTERTOWN — The students and staff at H.H. Garnet Elementary School waved goodbye to local children's book authors Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr as the pair packed up their family and hit the road for a cross-country tour.
Swanson, a writer, and Behr, an illustrator, are known for their celebrated books, including "Everywhere Wonder" and "Sunrise Summer," and their popular series "The Real McCoys" and "The Cookie Chronicles."
On Tuesday, Aug. 30, they officially launched their Busload of Books tour with a last stop at Garnet Elementary School in Chestertown.
They plan to visit Title I schools all across the country in their converted and brightly painted school bus, meeting students and giving away copies of their books. Joining them on the trek are their four children and their dog.
Students lined the street outside Garnet Elementary School Aug. 30, waving and holding up signs wishing the family well on their trip.
The family presented the school with boxes of art supplies and the school staff gave them an Emergency Road Trip Kit.
There were high fives, fist bumps, photos and hugs as students and school staff said bon voyage to the family.
Students and staff at H.H. Garnet Elementary School wave and hold up signs for Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson Tuesday morning, Aug. 30.
Students and staff at H.H. Garnet Elementary School wave and hold up signs for Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson as they drive by for a farewell visit in their brightly painted bus.
Robbi Behr greets students at H.H. Garnet Elementary School.
From left, Principal Brenda Rose, Community Schools specialist Flo Terrill and art teacher Aimee Boumiea welcome Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson to H.H. Garnet Elementary School.
Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson and their family pose for a farewell photo with H.H. Garnet Elementary school administrators. From left are, Alden Swanson, Robbi Behr, Principal Brenda Rose, Community Schools specialist Flo Terrill, Matthew Swanson and, in front from left, Kato, Jasper and August Swanson.
Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson hold up the Emergency Road Trip Gift given to them by the staff at H.H. Garnet Elementary School.
Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson pose for a photo with their children in front of H.H. Garnet Elementary School Tuesday, Aug. 30 before leaving on their Busload of Books tour. Their children are, from left, August, Alden, Kato and Jasper.
Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson and their children hold up the Emergency Road Trip Gift given to them by the staff at H.H. Garnet Elementary School.
Matthew Swanson bids farewell to the Garnet crowd as the family makes their way back to the bus.
From left, Robbi Behr, Alden Swanson, Jasper Swanson, Kato Swanson, August Swanson, Matthew Swanson and their dog prepare to embark on their Busload of Books tour after a visit to H.H. Garnet Elementary School.
Hugs are shared as the family prepares to depart from H.H. Garnet Elementary School.
Matthew Swanson gives his mother a hug as he prepares to leave.
Robbi Behr gives her mother-in-law a hug.
Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr pose for a photo with Swanson's mother.
Students and staff at H.H. Garnet Elementary School wave and hold up signs for Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson as they drive by for a farewell visit in their brightly painted bus.
Students and staff at H.H. Garnet Elementary School wave and hold up signs for Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson as they drive by for a farewell visit in their brightly painted bus.
Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson wave to the crowd at H.H. Garnet Elementary School.
Students and staff at H.H. Garnet Elementary School wave and hold up signs for Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson as they drive by for a farewell visit in their brightly painted bus.
Students and staff at H.H. Garnet Elementary School wave and hold up signs for Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson as they drive by for a farewell visit in their brightly painted bus.
Students and staff at H.H. Garnet Elementary School wave and hold up signs for Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson as they drive by for a farewell visit in their brightly painted bus.
Students and staff at H.H. Garnet Elementary School wave and hold up signs for Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson as they drive by for a farewell visit in their brightly painted bus.