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By ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

Thanks to Ruth Dreher’s Children’s Literature class at Kansas City Kansas Community College, 70 students have become published authors.

“Each student is assigned writing and illustrating a children’s book as part of the class requirements for the semester,” said Dreher.

In past years, the finished products came in all forms but this year, thanks to Dreher’s persistence, each student’s book was published in hard cover form by Nationwide Learning Inc. of Topeka.

“I had tried for the last five years to get the books published but we just didn’t have enough sections of the class to make it worthwhile for the company.”

However, with an increase to five sections of the class, Dreher was able to strike a deal in which each student was given one free book and the opportunity to order additional copies for family and friends.

“Some ordered as many as 10 copies so the company was very happy,” she said.

Nearly 100 students were given the opportunity to have books published in two morning classes taught by Dreher and evening and Leavenworth Center classes taught by Dr. Tim Thurman. Dr. Thurman also teaches a class in the College’s PACE program.

Unfortunately, students in PACE were not able to have their books published because of the later start of PACE classes.

Students were offered three options as to the content they created for their books – Alphabet books, Concept books or Picture Story books. Each student was prepared to undertake the endeavor because classes covered all gamuts of children’s books over the fall semester.

The students learned about all of the genres, all the way from nursery rhymes to traditional fantasy tales. In addition, the students learned about the history of children’s literature, the social implications depicted in the genre and the artistry, medium and style of an artist/author.

More importantly, the students learned about the literary elements required for the insurance if quality children’s literature.

In addition to creating a children’s story, illustrations were required, either by the student or an illustrator. If an illustrator was used, credit was given in the published book. 

“During the course of the semester, we looked at every genre of books, including the analysis of award-winning books for artistry and writing,” said Dreher. “Also, each student read about 30 books out of class, not counting all the books I brought in.”
An avid collector and reader of children’s books, Dreher has donated more than 600 children’s books to the College Library.

“I want my students to have a chance to read them. This past semester’s donations consisted mainly of contemporary realistic fiction books along with some historical fiction.”

The finished products, said Dreher, were beyond expectations. “The quality was truly unbelievable,” she said. “Children’s literature is the hardest genre to get published. It’s very competitive. The wording must be precise and well illustrated to get a child’s attention immediately. Otherwise, he or she will put it down and turn to something else.”

As could be expected, the arrival of the books was a day of eager anticipation. “The students could hardly wait to get their books; they were chomping at the bit,” said Dreher, who had the pleasure of distributing the books – and hearing their comments.

“I got to draw and feel like I was a little kid again,” said Maria Cervantes. “I can’t wait to show my sister.”

“I like drawing and really appreciated the chance to do what I like to do and this book gave me the opportunity to be creative,” said Olivia Oliphant.

“This book showed me everything is possible,” said Shyla Knight. “The class and Mrs. Dreher showed me it’s possible to do anything.”

Vanessa Brown said she would use her book as part of her part-time work in the College’s Child Care Center. “It gave me a chance to create a book and also utilize it in my education,” said Brown.

“I thought creating a book would be easy but it wasn’t,” said Carolyn Davis. “I had to do it over and over before I got it right.” Katherine Hardin agreed: “I like doing this book. Even though it was a pain in the rear, I really enjoyed doing it and it will be a fun thing for my son to see.”

Simone Polk’s comments were echoed in both of the day classes. “I was really glad we had Mrs. Dreher for a teacher; I could not have gotten it done if not for her.” “Yeah, she’s pretty cool,” said another.

Dreher said to have a book published goes far beyond the completion of a class project.

“It’s something they can put on their resume, use in seeking graduate degrees, and it’s a keepsake they’ll have for a lifetime.”

PHOTO: Members of Kansas City Kansas Community College Children’s Literature class taught by Ruth Dreher (second row on left) have become published authors. Seventy students in four sections of classes taught by Dreher and Dr. Tim Thurman wrote and illustrated children’s books published in hard covers. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)