Just ask the third graders at Great Salt Bay School in Damariscotta. Each student chooses a local sea creature to study for their unit on “Oyster Neighbors.” At the end of the year, their reports on estuarine animals are assembled into a printed book, making them all authors of a very special field guide. This is the 11th year I helped kick off the unit. After giving an overview of my book writing process—emphasizing the importance of that first “grabber” sentence—I met with individual students, like Allie, below. Together, we brainstormed about special features of their animal that might grab a reader’s attention.

At the end of the day, all the third grades got together again for a lively game of Ocean Jeopardy! Another chance to share quirks about my favorite sea beasts.

Consulting with aspiring author Allie

Thanks for a great day with all these budding authors!