ENFIELD, Maine — Two Enfield Station Elementary School students are now published writers after their work was selected for publishing through Leap for Literacy.
Addy Dow, 8, and Anna Mercier, 10, are the first students in Maine to become published authors through the nonprofit and publishing company.
Leap for Literacy supports educators and students through its Share Your Story program. The program provides a step-by-step guide to teaching young children how to become published writers.
Desiree Lindsay is a literacy educator at an elementary school in West Enfield. She said she first learned about Leap for Literacy and the Share Your Story program when she attended a writing conference in Chicago.
Lindsay participated in the program this past school year, and two of the students became published authors.
The program allowed Dow to bring characters to life, like Lazy Gary in her book "The Lazy Snail," teaching readers how to welcome change and the importance of trying new things.
In the book, the lazy snail named Gary overcomes his dislike for going outside, and his friends introduce him to fun activities that he can enjoy while being active outdoors.
By overcoming his dislike for the outdoors, Lazy Gary was also able to become healthier and lose weight, Dow said, explaining he got "fatter and fatter" from sitting on the couch all day.
"When you change, it's good for you because you can explore new things," Dow said.
While Dow's book teaches change, Mercier's book shows readers the magic of kindness, which also happens to be the title of her book.
Mercier's story shows her understanding of how important it is to communicate your emotions, even at such a young age.
"The Magic of Kindness" tells a story about a lonely sorcerer who wants friends but doesn't know how to make them.
In the beginning of the book, the sorcerer sees two children who are friends playing and having fun together, and he becomes jealous. Instead of trying to befriend the children, he comes up with an idea to poison them with a potion, setting off on a long escapade to collect his ingredients.
After collecting all his ingredients and concocting the potion, the sorcerer approaches the children. But right before one of the characters is about to drink the potions, the sorcerer realizes he is lonely and doesn't truly want to hurt anyone.
He then speaks up, being honest with the children, and he asks them for forgiveness. They all later become friends.
Through his journey, the sorcerer learns you have to first be a friend and have good intentions to make friends.
"At my age, a lot of kids are mean to each other, and they leave kids out for being lonely," Mercier said. "And the kids are shy. So, they don't speak up, and they want friends."
Mercier recalled a time when she was shy and when she felt left out in her friend group. When she spoke up and communicated how she felt, she was able to be vulnerable and build a friendship that she said is still strong today.
The young writer challenges other children to do the same and to treat others with grace, respect, love and kindness.
"Kindness is contagious, and you can do so much with it," Mercier said.
The student's literacy teacher, Lindsay said both Dow and Mercier inspire other kids to breathe life into their ideas.
"You can be the next person who puts the next book in the library," Lindsay said.
Dow's and Mercier's books are available for purchase on Amazon. To purchase "The Lazy Snail," click here. To purchase "The Magic of Kindness," click here.