November 17, 2006

‘Carla’ comes to town

Actress and children’s book author Rhea Perlman visits Holly Oak Elementary School

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Everybody loved Carla, the wisecracking bar maid on the TV sitcom “Cheers.” But now everyone at Holly Oak Elementary loves Rhea Perlman, who visited the school recently to present her new book “Otto Undercover.”

Actress and children’s book author Rhea Perlman hands a Holly Oak student his signed copy of “Otto Undercover” during a book signing session at Holly Oak Elementary School on Nov. 9. Perlman read portions of her book to the students during her appearance. Photos by Diego Abeloos

Perlman wowed the youngsters with magical tales of the kid racecar driver who’s also an inventor and a very bad singer that she told her own three children while they were growing up. The adventures take place in Coney Island, where Perlman grew up. Most of the kids did not remember her from “Cheers” but rather from the voice of Mrs. Wormwood, the mother in the animated feature “Matilda.” But Perlman has a brand new fan base now with four Otto Undercover books in print and two more in the works.

“It was fantastic to have Rhea Perlman here,” said Holly Oak Elementary School Principal Leila Welch. “And she was a sweetheart. She signed every book and answered all their questions. She even told them they were the best audience she ever had. Anytime the kids can enjoy themselves and learn at the same time I’m happy. It’s better than Christmas.”

Holly Oak Elementary was the first stop on a daylong junket for the Emmy-award winning actress. After almost a four-hour visit at the school, Perlman visited Graystone School in Almaden and ended her day with an appearance at Hicklebees bookstore in Willow Glen.

Staff and students at Holly Oak Elementary School presented Rhea Perlman with flowers and a polo shirt complete with the Holly Oak Hawk logo during her visit to the school on Nov. 9. Bottom row, left to right: Holly Oak students Hai Van (blue jacket), Tiffany On, Jennifer Chung, Joseph Martinez and Elson Villavert (wearing glasses), with Perlman. Top row, left to right: Evergreen Elementary School District Trustee Sylvia Alvarez, Evergreen Elementary School District Superintendent Clif Black, Holly Oak Principal Leila Welch and Holly Oak teacher Jonathan Lee. Photos by Diego Abeloos

Perlman warmed up her audience of four students, from third through sixth grade, with a standup routine
“How do you get a handkerchief to dance? You put a buger in it!” and, “why did Tigger put his head in the toilet? He was looking for Poo!” which all met with screams of laughter.

Perlman read a few chapters from the book complete with whacky impressions and then answered questions from her young audience.

“Where do your ideas come from?” asked one young boy.

“We all have potential,” said Perlman. “You have to work very hard and really practice. We all have talent.”

Another student wanted to know which one of her numerous characters was her favorite.

“Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda. I like to play the bad guys,” said Perlman.

After the Q and A, Perlman presented a short slapstick movie of her cooking chocolate pancakes, directed by husband and fellow actor Danny DeVito, which met with hoots of laughter from the receptive audience.

Rhea Perlman, actress and children’s book author, speaks to the students at Holly Oak Elementary School about her new book “Otto Undercover” on Nov. 9. Perlman read portions of the book to the students and later signed 150 books at the school.

Holly Oak kids were equally impressed with Perlman, who signed 150 books, chatting with each child and parents who wanted to meet the actress, as well as posing for photographs with her excited fans. And Perlman was likewise touched by the student body’s presentation of flowers and a polo shirt complete with the Holly Oak Hawk logo.

“Rhea was so personable with each student,” said Holly Oak Elementary School sixth grade teacher Jonathan Lee, who coordinated Perlman’s visit with Hicklebees. “She was with each kid in the moment and said how well behaved they were and that they were a fabulous audience. And she’s really fun and a good storyteller. Her visit was one of the best things that has happened at the school.”

And so now, not only does everybody love Carla, they love Rhea and Otto Undercover too.