It was hard work, but the result was rewarding for young writers at Forest Lake Elementary School in the Wantagh School District. Kindergartners in Robin Conte’s class published books that emulated the style of author and illustrator Todd Parr.

The emerging authors had their choice of four stories: “The Feelings Book,” “The Feel Good Book,” “The I Love You Book” or “The Peace Book.” Kindergartners went from learning their letters and sounds in the beginning of the year, to taking an idea and stretching it into a full sentence. Their pattern books had sentences and illustrations related to their respective topics.

Ms. Conte said that her students followed the writing process from start to finish. They generated ideas that were modeled after Parr’s children’s books. Students created first drafts, did some editing and then wrote their final versions to publish. 

The writing process culminated with a publishing party. Kindergartners proudly walked down a red carpet as teachers, staff and even Principal Thomas Burke stopped by the classroom to celebrate the literacy milestone.