Forest Hill Second Graders Become Published Authors

In Mrs. Browning’s classroom at Forest Hill Elementary, young authors recently brought their thoughts and emotions to life by publishing a class book through Student Treasures. Each student selected a feeling to explore, crafting original poetry and pairing their words with hand-designed illustrations. The result is a collection that reflects not only creativity, but also the emotional awareness and connection growing inside the classroom.

From joy to loneliness, from friendship to sadness, every page offers a glimpse into how students see and feel the world around them.

Anna Grace’s poem captures the quiet longing for connection, writing, “Fill me up with friendship. Call me on the phone. Fill me up with company, so I won’t be alone.” Her words, paired with a thoughtful illustration, reflect the importance of relationships and belonging.

Grady took a different emotional path, exploring sadness with honesty and depth. “Fill me up with the blues. I’m the opposite of glad. Fill me up with tears. I’m really, really sad,” he wrote. His poem demonstrates not only strong word choice, but also the courage to express difficult emotions.

Projects like this go beyond writing practice. They create space for students to understand themselves and each other. By giving students ownership of their ideas and voices, Mrs. Browning has helped build a classroom culture where every feeling matters and every student is seen.

Through the publishing process, students experienced what it means to be real authors. They brainstormed ideas, drafted and revised their poems, and carefully illustrated their pages.

For many students, this project will be something they remember for years to come. Seeing their name in print and their artwork on display transforms learning into something tangible and lasting.