Swingset Press publishes 100-plus stories by students

BY SARA KEDDY

Kings County Register

Close to half the students at an assembly to launch Swingset Press’s books May 22 stood up as authors when they were introduced.

Cambridge school’s own publishing business was a literacy project two years in the making, but it all ended in a big read in the gym, as parents and fellow students gathered around authors to hear stories about pets, hobbies, grampies and more. “It’s been a great well for children to tell us about themselves,” said dad James Morse, who co-authored “Our Pony, Flicka” with daughters Mary, Grade 2, and Anna, Primary. “We decided on a subject - cats? The pony? We chose Flicka, we did our stable chores and took our pictures of what’s involved with caring for a pony, and Mary and Anna created the storyline. They brought the finished copy home and they loved sharing it with us and the family.”

That’s exactly what teachers and resource people involved in Swingset Press were hoping for: “Picture children reading, writing and using technology - and now they’re sitting here as authors,” said project staffer Sophie Berube. “Our goals were to improve students’ interest in reading and writing - with their families.”

Starting in January, families visited the school and worked on a computer book template, filling in the story and picture paces with whatever they liked.

The most recent published book was read at the assembly on a Powerpoint presentation, the story of Swingset press itself.

All the books are now in the school library, and students are excited about borrowing their friends’ stories. Students could also order extra copies, and some families came back and wrote more than one book.

Support for the project came from the provincial government, school board and literacy organizations, but the school is now looking for volunteers to help keep things going next year. They’ve got the template, the organizational structure - and the students’ enthusiasm - to build on. “These are the stories of our families, our lives, our interests - and we can share them with others,” Berube said.