Gehlen First Graders Receive Books About Themselves

(Le Mars) — Have you ever thought about having a story written about you and your dreams, then published in a book?  Gehlen Catholic first graders got that opportunity recently when they were presented a book about themselves.  In October, Gehlen Catholic 7th graders each selected a first grader to interview and learn more about that individual.  Then the 7th graders compiled their notes, and wrote a story.  A pubishing company made a hard-bound copy which was presented to the first graders yesterday.  The idea is the brainchild of Language Arts teacher Carolyn Bickford, who started the program more than 30 years ago.

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Now, 36 years later, Bickford located a publishing company willing to publish the stories into a hardbound book.

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She says the book often becomes a treasured keepsake.

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Seventh grader Josie Kohbeck decided to write a story for her brother who is a first grader. But first, she interviewed him to learn more about his likes and dislikes.

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She says he enjoys superheroes, and that was the basis for the story.

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Kohbeck says she illustrated the pages herself, and included images of the various superheroes within the pages.

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The young Gehlen student says her brother, Nathan, was excited to receive the book which featured him and his friends as superheros.  As for Josie, well she still treasures her First grade book which featured her with her favorite singer at that time, Hannah Montana.