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The A+ Custodian
"Mr. Carillo is our A+ Custodian!"
John Carillo, Dublin Elementary School's custodian, has a big job. He mops and sweeps, polishes and scrubs, changes lightbulbs, washes windows, fixes pipes, moves furniture, and more! The teachers, students, parents, and principal all count on Mr. Carillo, and he never lets them down.
Now his early-bird helpers, Gracie and Zach, want to do something to show Mr. Carillo how important he is to them.
But showing him how much they appreciate everything he does will take lots of planning, some hard work, and the help of everyone in the whole school!
In her classic style Louise Borden brings to vivid focus one elementary school, the students and faculty who bring it to life, and the clever way they show Mr. Carillo he's their A+ custodian!
John Carillo, Dublin Elementary School's custodian, has a big job. He mops and sweeps, polishes and scrubs, changes lightbulbs, washes windows, fixes pipes, moves furniture, and more! The teachers, students, parents, and principal all count on Mr. Carillo, and he never lets them down.
Now his early-bird helpers, Gracie and Zach, want to do something to show Mr. Carillo how important he is to them.
But showing him how much they appreciate everything he does will take lots of planning, some hard work, and the help of everyone in the whole school!
In her classic style Louise Borden brings to vivid focus one elementary school, the students and faculty who bring it to life, and the clever way they show Mr. Carillo he's their A+ custodian!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published June 22, 2004
1 person is currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Louise Borden
34 books47 followersThere were already two Louises in my family when I was born: my mother and my grandmother, Nana, who lived with us when I was growing up. So early on, I was given the name Leezie. This is a name that my family still calls me. Years later, my niece was born and also named Louise. Then there were four of us with the same name! Louise is a fine name to have except that people often spell it incorrectly. Sometimes my mail is addressed to Louisa, or Louisie, or Lewis, or Lois. Leezie is also tough for people to spell. Names and their pronunciations have always interested me, so writing about a teacher named Mrs. Kempczinski was a natural thing for me to do.
I grew up in a house at the top of a steep street in Cincinnati, Ohio, the kind of street that is a big challenge when you are pedaling uphill on your bicycle. My two sisters and I used to ride our bikes down, down our street, and then to the local dimestore to buy candy bars or meet up with our friends. But coming home, we had to pedal up our long hill. (This was before mountain bikes!) Pedaling slowly up my street may be where I learned perseverance, something all writers need when they are working alone at their desks.
Writing picture books came much later—after studying history in college, getting married, and raising three children. Even though I didn't grow up to be a composer, I like to think that my picture books are almost songs because the sound of words and the poetry of my style are so important in the texts that I write. I work very hard at my desk, revising and revising and revising, trying to find just the right words that will be beautiful or fun to read.
I grew up in a house at the top of a steep street in Cincinnati, Ohio, the kind of street that is a big challenge when you are pedaling uphill on your bicycle. My two sisters and I used to ride our bikes down, down our street, and then to the local dimestore to buy candy bars or meet up with our friends. But coming home, we had to pedal up our long hill. (This was before mountain bikes!) Pedaling slowly up my street may be where I learned perseverance, something all writers need when they are working alone at their desks.
Writing picture books came much later—after studying history in college, getting married, and raising three children. Even though I didn't grow up to be a composer, I like to think that my picture books are almost songs because the sound of words and the poetry of my style are so important in the texts that I write. I work very hard at my desk, revising and revising and revising, trying to find just the right words that will be beautiful or fun to read.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 14, 2018
Amazing book about appreciating those who work behind the scenes to keep things up and running. In this case it is a custodian at an elementary school. Everyone there loves him and he loves them right back. The students and staff decide to make a banner and leave a bunch of notes around the school to show just how much they appreciate their beloved custodian.
July 23, 2023
So beautiful it almost made me cry. I read the copy that is archived on openlibrary.org. Do know that it's a bit longer than picture-books for tots... the enterprising children (who happen to be Black) are in third grade.
June 9, 2017
A great book for teachers to read to students about showing appreciation for custodians or other people who work in schools.
November 26, 2019
The A+ Custodian is a feel good story about a custodian at Dublin Elementary School who is loved by the students at his school. This story will warm your heart.
December 14, 2017
A great story about noticing the people who do the seemingly little things. This is a story of a custodian who is recognized for all of the good work and deeds he does in the school. I would love to use this book in my future classroom for lessons on the school community and recognizing all the people who make up a community.
This is one of my picture book selections.
This is one of my picture book selections.
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February 20, 2015Personal Reaction:
The A+ Custodian by Louise Borden is a wonderful picture book that reveals the importance of custodians in schools. After reading this book, I gained a greater understanding and appreciation for all of the hard work and effort custodians put in to making the school run properly. This book made me realize the importance of reminding students to be appreciative of custodians, as well as every other faculty member.
Purpose:
-Read aloud to 1st graders
-enrichment/understanding that every person in the school plays an important role, especially the custodian. It also teaches students to be respectful and appreciative to everyone. By reading this book and seeing the two students help the custodian, readers will see how special and rewarding it is to be helpful and appreciative of others.
-To show students the importance of leadership (e.g. when the two children in the book organize a way to say "Thank you" to the custodian and get the whole school to help them decorate the hallways)
Curriculum:
Read Aloud
-Discussion of figurative language and dialogue use
-Students can write a reflection on the impact that someone in the school has made on them
-Character development: the two children in the story are dynamic characters because they help out the custodian every morning, and when they realize that the school should do something to say "Thank you", they design a huge poster and decorate the school. The custodian is a round character because he always does his job to the best ability and he allows the two children to assist him whenever they want to.
The A+ Custodian by Louise Borden is a wonderful picture book that reveals the importance of custodians in schools. After reading this book, I gained a greater understanding and appreciation for all of the hard work and effort custodians put in to making the school run properly. This book made me realize the importance of reminding students to be appreciative of custodians, as well as every other faculty member.
Purpose:
-Read aloud to 1st graders
-enrichment/understanding that every person in the school plays an important role, especially the custodian. It also teaches students to be respectful and appreciative to everyone. By reading this book and seeing the two students help the custodian, readers will see how special and rewarding it is to be helpful and appreciative of others.
-To show students the importance of leadership (e.g. when the two children in the book organize a way to say "Thank you" to the custodian and get the whole school to help them decorate the hallways)
Curriculum:
Read Aloud
-Discussion of figurative language and dialogue use
-Students can write a reflection on the impact that someone in the school has made on them
-Character development: the two children in the story are dynamic characters because they help out the custodian every morning, and when they realize that the school should do something to say "Thank you", they design a huge poster and decorate the school. The custodian is a round character because he always does his job to the best ability and he allows the two children to assist him whenever they want to.
February 24, 2015
personal response
I think that this is a very well written book. I love that it highlights a loving and committed custodian. Positions like this are often overlooked, but people do not realize that the school could not run without them. I had a custodian in my high school that everyone really liked that reminds me of the custodian in the book. It has bright and detailed illustrations that catch the eye and help to tell the story.
Purpose
This would be a good read aloud enrichment book for grades 2-5. I think that this would be a great way to help the kids learn to appreciate the other staff at the school and to realize how important their jobs are. In the story, the custodian builds relationships with the kids and some of the kids even help him clean before school. The kids also surprise the custodian by making him a banner and nice cards. This could encourage students to talk to the custodians and ask if they need help, or just to give them a friendly smile. It could also help to start a project that honors staff at your own school. This book uses strong vocabulary and onomatopoeias such as:"flannel," "swiss-hiss," "snap-flap," "satchel."
I think that this is a very well written book. I love that it highlights a loving and committed custodian. Positions like this are often overlooked, but people do not realize that the school could not run without them. I had a custodian in my high school that everyone really liked that reminds me of the custodian in the book. It has bright and detailed illustrations that catch the eye and help to tell the story.
Purpose
This would be a good read aloud enrichment book for grades 2-5. I think that this would be a great way to help the kids learn to appreciate the other staff at the school and to realize how important their jobs are. In the story, the custodian builds relationships with the kids and some of the kids even help him clean before school. The kids also surprise the custodian by making him a banner and nice cards. This could encourage students to talk to the custodians and ask if they need help, or just to give them a friendly smile. It could also help to start a project that honors staff at your own school. This book uses strong vocabulary and onomatopoeias such as:"flannel," "swiss-hiss," "snap-flap," "satchel."
February 13, 2015
Personal reaction: I really like how this book portrayed the custodian as a human that has value by the students showing him respect and creating him a huge banner. The message behind it was great.
Purpose: This book would be good for read aloud for 1-3 graders. It could be used before something like Teacher or Staff Appreciation Week or something to show that everyone in the building matters and they could not have the school they do without the hard work of the custodians. I also think it could really show them how to be kind and respectful of everyone and to never think you are better than someone else because the staff sure does not think that about the custodian.
Purpose: This book would be good for read aloud for 1-3 graders. It could be used before something like Teacher or Staff Appreciation Week or something to show that everyone in the building matters and they could not have the school they do without the hard work of the custodians. I also think it could really show them how to be kind and respectful of everyone and to never think you are better than someone else because the staff sure does not think that about the custodian.
June 20, 2008
A lovely book about the importance of a school custodian, in this case Mr. Carillo. I think it's a wonderful tribute to all custodians. People don't always appreciate all that they do. And I'm still not sure how they keep track of all those keys.
Our elementary school custodian was Al. I remember his workroom in the basement, kids called it the dungeon. The book made me miss my elementary school, it was torn down last year. I have a brick from it sitting by my bookshelf.
Our elementary school custodian was Al. I remember his workroom in the basement, kids called it the dungeon. The book made me miss my elementary school, it was torn down last year. I have a brick from it sitting by my bookshelf.
September 2, 2012
In this story in free verse we meet Mr Carillo, the custodian of an elementary school. As we follow him though his duties, we see the love, care, and pride he shows in his work. Two youngsters who always arrive at school early become his helpers and come up with a secret plan to show him how outstanding his work is. It's "A+"
September 24, 2016
This book was wonderful! It brought a sense of happiness to me as I was reading it. It made me think back to the custodians in my old schools and smile because I still remember their names. I think this would be a great book to read in every grade, every year. The book's lesson is very important, the pictures are very realistic, and the words bring everything to life.
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September 13, 2007Borden, Louise
February 25, 2013
This was a cute tribute to Dublin's custodian. Very thoughtful! Loved the definition of a custodian in the authors note, too!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews