Busby’s youngest authors were on full display last Thursday when Busby School held its annual Author’s Night.
The May 8 event was a chance for the school’s students to show off the books they had written this year, and read them to their friends, family and neighbours.
Principal Nadine Marchand said every student put together a book, with the degree of detail dictated by what grade the student is in.
“Kindergarten books are based on a story they’ve previously read, and are basically fill-in-the-blanks,” she said. “The older kids do a full plan.”
Having the students make their own books, complete with cover art and inside illustrations, gives them a sense of the publishing process. They learn about drafts of a story, as well as editing and getting a peer to proofread the story before it’s completed.
It’s also a way to show that there are no limits to what a student can do, Marchand said.
“Anyone can be an author, and the kids like doing it,” she said.
One of the young authors was Grade 3 student Kruz Woodcock, whose book was titled The Runaway Monkey.
Woodcock said his story was about two boys — Kruz and Kale — who wanted to buy a monkey. After not having enough money to buy one, they manage to find the cash and realize their dream.
They bring the monkey to school to show it off, but it gets loose and the boys have to chase it down. Kruz finally captures it and the boys take it home to play with it.
Grade 2 student Macy Kaliel wrote her book Lost about a little field mouse that lost its tail.
She said the mouse, which was named Macy after the nickname Macy Mouse given her by her uncle, lost its tail and was trying to make its way home.
During the adventure, Macy encountered several obstacles, including a giant combine making its way through the farmer’s field.
In the end, Macy got home safe and sound, and woke up in the farmer’s hands to a big surprise — a brand new tail.
Kaliel said her favourite part of the tale was Macy getting a new tail.
Marchand said Author’s Night also coincided with Education Week, and is a way to celebrate education in all its forms.
In addition to the books on display, the school also held its annual Grade 5/6 barbecue fundraiser for the Grade 5/6 overnight trip, as well as a book fair in the gym.
