We Are Authors

Last week, and this week, have been full of celebrating the joy of becoming authors. Our hard work has paid off and our many drafts of writing and illustrating have brought us to our final Partner Book draft. Last Wednesday, we had the joy of celebrating our writing success through gifting our Partner Books to our special partner. Many events have lead to this moment. Through it all, it is clear that we are proud of our hard work. Our Kindergarteners have done a wonderful job of bringing their Partner Book seeds to life. We began this story's writing process back in November by interviewing members of our Partner Family. The interviews helped us learn about our partner's likes and dislikes. Then using the interview answers we could create a personalized book about, and for, our partner. Our writing came to life with crayon drawings where we used pictures to further show details in our story. When the writing and illustrating process was complete, we moved into the binding and assembling process where we created titles, designed covers, and selected binding colors.

With a finished product in hand, our partners were so excited to receive our gifts of writing and illustrations. It was a true treat giving our hard work to our partners. Take a look at some of our Partner Book Reveal fun below. You can find more photos in the February 2013 Photo Album. Since these books were created as a gift for another student, your child will not be bringing home their own work. Therefore, Thursday, February 28th is our Family Partner Book Share Day. All Willowwind families are invited to come and read our books together. This will occur from 1:15-2:00. We have worked hard on this project and we are thrilled to share them with you! If you are not able to going us, our Partner Books are currently on display near the Front Office for your viewing pleasure.

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Our finished Partner Books!


The finished Partner Book product!


Partner Book Reveal


Partner Book Reveal


Partner Book Reveal


Partner Book Reveal

Leading up to our much anticipated Partner Book Reveal we had the opportunity to participate in a variety of Literary events. One that we have been looking forward to for a long time was Willowwind's annual Authors' Cocoa. Thank you so much for your presence at our Authors' Cocoa event. The Cottontails were thrilled to share their beautiful poetry with you and our community. Your child's poetry was bounded in a poetry booklet and they will be taking home these booklets as a keepsake from the special day. After Authors' Cocoa the Cottontails took time to select and submit their favorite poetry to Iowa City's Poetry in Public contest. We are anxiously waiting to hear which Willowwind friends will be featured in this event.


Authors' Cocoa


Authors' Cocoa


Authors' Cocoa

When becoming an author it is important to take moments and learn from authors. Amidst our Partner Book celebration we had the joy of visiting with Katherine House, a Prairie Racerunner parent and professional author. Last week she took time out of her writing schedule to talk to us about her latest book Kids in the White House. She took us through her writing process, and the step-by-step design of creating her book. We were excited to take a sneak peek listen to one of her chapters about the "trouble raising" Theodore Roosevelt sons. Check it out when it becomes available. In the meantime check out her other book Lighthouses for Kids available at bookstores, online and at the Iowa City Public Library.


Our author, Katherine



While our Partner Books are finished, the writing celebration doesn't stop. This week, along with Thursday's Family Partner Book Share, on Friday, we will wear our pjs and Drop Everything And Read in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday.
On Friday, March 1st, students are invited to wear pajamas and bring in one cozy item (a pillow, a stuffed animal, a blanket) to cuddle up with while we spend the afternoon reading together. When choosing a cozy item, please help your child make decisions that will allow him or her to be comfortable without being distracted from the goal of reading. THIS Friday's DEAR Day will kick off our Dr. Seuss author study. We can't wait to learn more about Dr. Seuss and use his books and stories to inspire us in our own reading and writing. We will also be celebrating his birthday with a yummy treat and a Dr. Seuss movie (not rated or rated G). Please let me know if you have further questions or concerns about the movies choice.