Fifteen young authors will sign books as part of a summer reading camp that teaches children how to write, illustrate and publish their own books.
The books include stories about making new friends, good grades and a comical ghost search.
Third- and fourth-graders worked with Arts Partners, educators and graduate students from Wichita State University's creative writing department to create the books.
Prisca Barnes is founder and CEO of Storytime Village, the nonprofit that hosts the camp.
"Nearly 43 percent of Wichita third graders are not reading at grade level and that is why it’s important for us to provide programs like our LEAP camp that inspires a lifelong love of reading and encourages children to become authors and illustrators," Barnes says.
The students also traveled to Newton's Mennonite Press to learn about self-publishing.
"Students that have participated in the LEAP Summer Camp have grown as readers, writers and also are now equipped with tools for entrepreneurial success," Barnes says. "We are proud to have the opportunity to produce some of Wichita's newest and youngest self-published authors and illustrators."
The event will be held on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Wichita Art Museum.
Carla Eckels is director of cultural diversity and the host of Soulsations. Follow her on Twitter @Eckels. To contact KMUW News or to send in a news tip, reach us at news@kmuw.org.
