High Schoolers Write Stories of First-Graders

There was a literary gathering of a matched inter-half-generational set last week, the biggest in its history.

The first-graders and high schoolers — biographees and biographers — got together under the auspices of the Picture Book Program of the creative writing students at Las Lomas High. The high school students interview Murwood Elementary first-graders to prepare a picture book starring the first grader. And the high schooler-first grader bonds just happen naturally from there.

They got together over milk and cookies on Friday, "approximately 95 (the biggest group ever!)" — said Ami Zensius, the creative writing teacher who collaborates with Murwood teachers Joy Inouye, Laura Miller, Erica Montgomery and Paula Shaw. The partnership has been partnering for 13 years.

"The Creative Writers learn the real-world importance of perfecting their writing and the amazing reward of seeing first-hand the positive impact their words can have on younger kids," wrote Zensius in an email.