Jeannette elementary celebrates publication of first graders' books

Family, students and cookies gathered Friday at Jeannette McKee Elementary School for a book release party.

They celebrated “It Snowed Valentines,” a self-published book written and illustrated by 18 first grade students of reading teacher Lou Anne Gansor. Each child sat up front and read their story before showing off their drawing.

“We have done a lot of hard work with our reading and writing. The light bulbs are turning on,” Gansor said. “With the summer coming up, we need to keep them reading. Soon they are going to be understanding and reading words that they haven’t been taught, and we are going to have to wear sunglasses because the light bulbs will be so bright in the room.”