Kindergarten Authors Share Their Stories

At there is a belief that anyone can be an author – even a 5-year-old.

Wednesday night, the students of Lori Karam's kindergarten class read their first published books to an audience filled with parents, siblings and extended family.

"We've been studying authors and illustrators since the first day of school," said Karam, who has taught at Kenwood for 15 years. The students have created numerous picture books, but selected the most meaningful book to read at the event.

"I wanted them to learn that they are actually authors and illustrators just like the books we read in class," she said. "And to realize there is a purpose to writing."

Karam often engages her students in the various aspects of writing by producing events such as a poetry cafe and author book signings. She helps her students research different concepts authors use to generate their stories.

"They are so excited about this," parent Kristine Hiott said before the event.

Kenwood Principal Virginia Mantela said these events are crucial to developing students' appreciation for not only writing, but verbal and illustrative communication. "It's the key to everything," she said.

The audience sat at tables topped with photographs of each student and his or her book. The student authors made a grand entrance and sat around a red chair, which would be the pinnacle point of the night. Each student took his or her turn sitting in the chair, with microphone in hand, reading through the pages of their published works. Some students thanked their families after they were finished. 

Hiott's son, Alex, was the first reader of the evening. "I ride my bike," he began, finishing with, "I put my bike away," before passing the microphone to the next author. 

Each student author shook hands with the next author in line – something that is replicated each morning in Karam's class. During intermission, students and their families munched on cheese and fruit kabobs. The students wore name tags, which described what they believed they did best as a writer. In a true meet-and-greet fashion, parents were encouraged to ask each student about his or her work.

Student Sarah Starr, wearing a pale blue jumper, noted her favorite aspect of the writing process: "The pictures!"

Sarah's twin sister, Shannon also read her book. The Starr sisters' father, Rick, jokingly said the girls "were just a little excited for the night."

Claire Prost, whose son, Matthew, came ready with a pen to sign autographs, said the children had been preparing for the event for days.

"My No. 1  goal is to make them love reading and writing ... to love books ... to be excited about what authors do," Karam said. "And to make them realize they are all authors, too."