Luigi signing books to help raise money for Enfield Elementary

Signing books..beep-beep!

The Philly Fiat leading the 2010 Easter Parade....Beep-beep:)

The Philly Fiat getting ready to lead the 2010 Easter parade….Beep-beep:)

2010 Car Show....Beep-beep:)

Luigi and the Philly Fiat at the Car Show….Beep-beep:)

Just $20.00 in the Philadelphia area only.

http://drop.io/fk06rpl/asset/02-02-2009-louis-luigi-borda-author-of-luigi-gets-around-book-series-raw-mp3

The “Philly Phiat” Becomes The Vehicle For A Teacher’s Creative Geography Lesson

In 1969 a young boy named Luigi Borda came to the United States from Italy with his family aboard a ship. About the same time, a cute little red 1967 Fiat 500, made the same voyage. Like their American relatives in Philadelphia, the Borda family wanted to discover the American dream.

Nearly 40 years later the Bordas are proud Americans still living in South Philadelphia and the red 1967 Fiat 500 is still on the road and has actually become something of a celebrity.

Along with its owner Luigi, the “Philly Phiat” has made a number of TV appearances and even made runs around the Citizens Bank Park field on game day with the Philly Phanatic sticking out through the roof waving at the crowds. In addition they have been in several city parades and often delight passerby’s as they travel to work in center city Philadelphia

As it turns out Louis “Luigi” Borda, 42, a Geography Teacher at Masterman, Philadelphia’s celebrated academic magnet school for accomplished students, was not just out doing publicity stunts for his obligatory 15 minutes of fame.

In fact, the relentless pursuit of attention for his little red Fiat 500 was part of a master plan to focus attention on a series of self-published Children’s books — Andiamo! (Let’s Go!) Luigi Gets Around (One State at a Time) – designed to help teach U.S. geography. The first in the series “Luigi Discovers Philadelphia” is being released this week.

In this book, Luigi and his little Fiat travel from Italy to the United States and then take readers on a fun ride through the historical city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Luigi plans on using his car to help young readers ‘travel’ across the country, stopping at notable destinations along the way,” Explains Borda.  “The concept of the books is to help young readers learn about, not only the cities and states, but unique cultural attractions, natural wonders, amusement parks, sporting events and special interesting ‘factoids’ about each particular state in each book.”

At a time when the educational system is threatened with cutbacks and shortages of teachers and essential learning materials, the personal effort, financial investment and sacrifice that Louis “Luigi” Borda is making with this project is truly inspirational.

See it here.