How does one celebrate New Jersey’s 350th birthday? Well, maybe you should ask New Jersey’s oldest resident, Haddy the Hadrosaurus. In the children’s book “Happy Birthday, New Jersey!” Haddy plans a birthday party for New Jersey with the help of famous residents and friends from New Jersey.
“Happy Birthday, New Jersey!” was written by Haddonfield Memorial High School’s Christie Castorino in honor of New Jersey’s 350th birthday in 2014. It is now available to children all across New Jersey as well as students in other countries, such as India, to help promote literacy.
The idea for “Happy Birthday, New Jersey!” came when Castorino had to select a theme and project when she was elected president of New Jersey State Society of the Children of the American Revolution in March 2014. Castorino, having written a book before, decided to write a book once again.
Her previous book she had written in eighth grade, “Heroines of Haddonfield,” contained 14 mini-biographies of women who contributed to the success of the first 300 years of Haddonfield and was written to earn her Silver Award for Girl Scouts. When she was presented with this project, she had the motivation to write a book again.
“I kind of put together what I had. NJCAR is a children’s organization, so I thought of a children’s book. Then, since it was 350 years since the founding of New Jersey, and since I’m in Haddonfield, I was already familiar with Haddy. It was just a matter of throwing ideas together that fit for a book,” Castorino said.
In her new book, the main character, Haddy the Hadrosaurus, gets to plan a birthday party in honor of New Jersey’s 350th anniversary. Haddy seeks the assistance of famous residents and friends from New Jersey past and present to plan the best party ever.
“This book is about a history of notable people in New Jersey from the perspective of Haddy, making it fun for kids in a birthday party kind of way and almost relatable,” Castorino said.
George Washington helps Haddy buy party supplies; Haddy runs on stage to ask Bruce Springsteen to sing at the party; the Cake Boss is asked to help with a cake; Kelly Ripa, Wendy Williams and Queen Latifa are asked to help invite people to the party; and many other famous New Jersey residents are called on by Haddy to celebrate the history of New Jersey.
Castorino’s favorite part of the book was writing about the current celebrities from New Jersey. There are celebrities not many people would know are from New Jersey.
“When you read that they’re from New Jersey, it is someone you would never think is from New Jersey because they’re so famous,” Castorino said.
Once the book was completed and published in December, members and supporters of NJCAR began to read the book during story times and donate copies to libraries and schools. Castorino would like to donate as many “Happy Birthday, New Jersey!” books as possible to libraries from all over. Those who donate a book are asked to write the name of the library on the Haddy the Hadrosaurus Facebook page so NJCAR may keep count of how many libraries receive a copy.
Castorino hopes the book will promote literacy while teaching New Jersey history in a fun and unique way. She also hopes it will bring New Jersey residents pride and inspiration, knowing there are great and historically famous people from New Jersey.
“I know a lot of people don’t like to read; kids would rather be outside and play. Me, I always wanted to read, it was a big part of my life and I couldn’t imagine growing up without books and access to them. My books are able to spread knowledge in different places and public form, it will promote literacy and reading at young ages,” Castorino said.
Retired Central Elementary School teacher John Quinesso Jr., now a professor at Rowan University, delivered
three autographed copies of “Happy Birthday, New Jersey!” to three libraries in India as part of Rowan University’s “TEACH and Discover India” program for education majors. More than 1,200 books were delivered to India, and the education majors are reading select books to the Indian children.
Quinesso was excited and proud to include a former student’s book on his expedition promoting literacy in India with Rowan University students.
The book is available online through Ross & Perry Publishing in Haddonfield at RossPerry.com, Barnes & Noble at www.barnesandnoble. com and Amazon at www.amazon.com.
