Some of the youngest creative members of the community demonstrated their talent at the Sidney-Richland County Library on April 4th. Seven Richland County Boys and Girls Club members were featured at a book reading of original, professionally published children's books each child had written for the WRiTE BRAiN book program. Parents, Boys and Girls Club staff and members of the community sat in attendance to watch each child read their book aloud and take questions afterward.
The children included Sienna Boehler (5th grade), Lucy Sommerfield (5th grade), Cara Henson (4th grade), Jordan and Joanna Skeens (4th and 2nd grade, respectively), Kalen Price (3rd grade) and Trevor Steiben (3rd grade). Janelle Buxbaum, Program Director for the Richland County Boys and Girls Club organized the event. The entire group of children also collaborated on a book entitled, The Journey of Benjamin Bear.
Cara Henson, who wrote The Adventures of Cheesy and Chris, a story about two mice having adventures in a supermarket, is in her first year at the Boys and Girls Club. Cara wants to grow up to be a veterinarian and said of the program, "It's very full of activities." When asked about her feelings upon becoming a published author she said, "I felt really happy and excited."
Kalen Price plans to write a sequel to his book Space Adventurers, a story about a team of heroes that must stop a villain who plans on destroying the Earth. "I felt happy with the experience of being a new author," said Kalen, who has been a Boys and Girls Club member for about a year and a half. "I want to be either a hockey player or a writer, or both."
Joanna Skeens wrote Mermaid Tail, a story about a mermaid who wants to learn how to draw. This is her third year in the program and she wants to grow up to help people in need, perhaps as a nurse. "It was amazing." She said of her experience of being published, "I felt like a big author."
The books all featured artwork which the children proudly displayed in a group photo after taking questions from the audience. Janelle Buxbaum stood by looking proudly at the children she works with on a daily basis. "It was the first year we did this program at the club," said Buxbaum, "We will continue to do it next year."
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