The work was done.  Well, almost.  High schoolers wrote their stories, turned it into a book, and I returned to listen to them read their stories.  After all, they would be reading the story they wrote about the kindergartner they interviewed – to the kindergartener.  Yes, big deal.

Can you imagine being young and having a high schooler write a book about you, the story you told, and then read it aloud to you?  Wow!

My work with the high schoolers was more than listening and helping them read aloud (emotion, slowing down, that sort of thing), it was fine tuning the words they wrote and the photos they chose.

I’d like to introduce you to two high school students, and the story behind the book they wrote for their kindergartener:

When Lily interviewed her student, he drew her a picture and told her he wanted to go to The Art Museum.  I saw the picture he drew.  Clearly, this child is very talented.  Lily asked me, “Where is The Art Museum?”  I told her this isn’t a title for a specific art museum.  We looked at his art, and it was abstract, and well done.

“Lily, what if the museum in your story focuses on abstract or modern art?  There’s a museum in New York, MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), that might work.”

Lily jumped at the idea, but then there was more.  In her book, every page has a famous painting in the upper left hand corner.

Her book is wonderful.

I love how Lily wrote the story of Logan at MoMA, and his art piece being discovered there.  Congratulations, Lily!

David connected with Justin.  They both loved firefighters, so this was a match (or a book) made in heaven.  Justin wants to be a firefighter.  His favorite character is Squirtle, from Pokemon.  I helped David understand that Squirtle can certainly be in Justin’s book.  Justin the firefighter can rescue Squirtle.

When all was finished, words polished, and books made, I visited the kindergarten and watched the high schoolers read their books to their kindergarten student.

Everyone was happy and smiling, very engaged.  I may have been the only one with a lump in my throat.

Jennie