Reagan students learn about Yellow Cat, Green Cat

Sep. 17—Reagan Elementary School students on Tuesday got a glimpse into the world of authors and illustrators with a visit from Phil Fouche and Donnie Norwood.

Fouche, businessman and educator turned author, and Norwood, a retired educator, collaborated on two children's books so far and are almost ready to release a third — "I Am Just a Yellow Cat," "I Am Just a Yellow Cat on a Road Trip," and their latest, "Captain Green Cat Saves the World."

Throughout the day, Fouche and Norwood faced audiences of fourth graders, kindergarten, fifth grade, second and prekindergarten and first and third graders. Fouche reviewed "I Am Just a Yellow Cat on a Road Trip" with the students and Norwood demonstrated how he illustrated the books with a program called Procreate.

Students also got to see the stuffed versions of Yellow Cat and Green Cat.

Fouche and Norwood have known each other for years. Fouche travels worldwide teaching people about corrosion control. He has taught a wide range of grades and is also a past president of the Ector County ISD Board of Trustees.

Norwood is a former educator, IT professional and ECISD board member.

Nine-year-old fourth graders Hollis Landgraf, Addison Hopkins, Emiliano Huerta and Aksel Ramirez all enjoyed the presentation.

Hopkins said she liked that the Road Trip book combined fiction and nonfiction.

"It was really funny" and she liked the illustration demonstration, Hopkins said.

Landgraf said she liked that the book included some New Mexico culture and the landmarks in New Mexico and Ruidoso. She has read the first book and part of the second.

"I also liked how they respected the way of the Native Americans. It was also really funny, and I also really love cats," she added.

Huerta said he liked learning about Smokey the Bear and other places in New Mexico and that they took the characters to space.