March Madness Tournament of Books taking place at Pass Christian Elementary-

The clock hasn’t even started to tick down yet on the courts for the March Madness NCAA Basketball Tournament, Pass Christian Elementary has already been handling the books and shows us how it is paying off big for all students involved.

- the clock hasn't even started t- tick down yet on the courts for- the march madness ncaa- basketball tournament, but- news 25's toni miles shows us - how pass christian- elementary school has already - been handling the - books and shows us how it's - paying off big for all students- involved.

- - nats: "i was walking down the road and i- saw...a donkey!"

Desarae bond, librarian, pass - christian elementary school: "w follow all- our favorite sports teams - throughout the march madness- bracket, so i thought - why not bring that kind of- excitement to the classrooms?

- therefore we have - our march madness tournament of- books."

Nats: "a donkey!

Heehaw!

And he only had three legs!

He was a - wonky - - - - donkey!"

Wonky donkey was one of the - expert picks for the march- madness tournament of books ...- one of 16 in the starting - bracket.- desarae bond, librarian, pass - christian elementary school:- "these books were circulated throughout the- classrooms from our pre-k 4 - class all the - way through our 5th grade - classes .

As the books were - circulated, the students were - sending in their votes for the- - - winning books."

The elite eight ... the final four...and then - the real nail - biter - the battle for the- championship title between- two books - a classic - the tru- story of the three little - pigs - a book where the big bad- wolf puts his spin on things- - and a newer, rookie book....- desarae bond, librarian, pass - christian elementary school: "i was a very- close compeition.

I actually- didn't know which book was goin- to be a winner until the- - - - class voted.

I will say the - wonky donkey won.

It was- definitely on a buzzer beater."

Toni miles, news 25: "wonky donkey was a slam dunk for ms.- gegenheimer's third - grade class, and a great warm u- for the upcoming state reading- exam."

Gretchen gegenheimer, teacher,- pass christian elementary - school: "it's the first time they take the state test so it- gives us a lot of information - on where they are with their- reading because it's important- for them to be good readers in- third grade.

It encourages them- to just pick up a book and read- for - enjoyment, which is a great way- for them to improve their - reading skills."

Desarae bond, librarian, pass - christian elementary school: "i our - playbook for march madness, we- had literacy.

We had teachers - reading to- - students aloud.

We even had - parents reading to children - around the dinner - table.

It was a win-win!"

And that's the goal-teaching- these future leaders of - tomorrow to take the ball - or- in this case - the book - and - run - with it.- in pass christian, toni miles,- news 25.-