BROOKINGS – Twenty-two Dakota Prairie Elementary students have become published authors through a national student publishing program.

As part of the publishing process, students in third grade planned, wrote and illustrated their own books using a free publishing kit provided by Studentreasures Publishing. Their book is “The ABCs of Dakota Prairie.”

Above, members of teacher Suzy Gehring’s class lined up along their own red carpet last week for a special book signing. Below, the students sign copies of the book.

Gehring’s students had been working hard on their books for eight weeks. The idea for their book started when they were thinking of topics. Two students were reading ABC books and wanted to dedicate the book to Dakota Prairie Elementary School Principal Kirstin Girard.

The Studentreasures Publishing program provides teachers an easy way to incorporate any lesson plan – from math and science to history, art and more – into a fun and memorable activity. Publishing a book in the classroom engages students through hands-on learning and inspires a love of reading and writing.

The best part? A classroom full of proud, smiling young authors with a memory that lasts a lifetime, plus a full-color, deluxe hardcover book for the teacher or school library. The students’ parents also have an option to purchase copies of the book.