Kelloggsville — Mai’Son Keits likes turtles. So the second-grader decided to write a book about them, and now he has his classmates reading about turtles too.
It all started with a trip to the beach, Mai’Son explained.
“I saw some turtles and I thought about what turtles do,” he said. “I even got in the water and followed them a little bit to see what they did.”
Back at school, Mai’Son shared his idea with Jen Cole, media secretary at West Kelloggsville Elementary. He told her he wanted to write a book about turtles. Cole agreed to help, typing the manuscript as Mai’Son dictated his story.
While Cole handled the typing, Mai’Son took charge of researching and selecting photos, carefully matching images to the text. He organized the pages and helped assemble the finished 11-page book.
“I would say the book is fiction-nonfiction,” Cole said, explaining that it blends factual information with a bit of creative flair.
For example, Mai’Son found information about Archelon, a prehistoric turtle considered the largest ever discovered.
On another page, Mai’Son writes about a pink turtle that can turn into a girl.
“I never knew there was such a thing as pink turtles until we found a picture of them,” Cole said with a laugh.
Mai’Son said he enjoys watching short videos and often comes across many about animals, which is where he gets some of his information about the reptiles.
And “I like writing,” Mai’Son added, which he thinks he gets from his mother.
Last fall, his book, “Turtles Do About Their Life,” was added to the school library collection. Mai’Son also selected additional titles for the library: three more books about turtles and two about spoonbills.
“One of the turtle books was 300 pages, which we did not realize until we got it,” Cole said. “It is one of the most popular books with a waiting list.”
Mai’Son’s teacher, Luke Ferrall, said Michigan’s Common Core Standards include nonfiction writing such as informative and explanatory texts. Students are required to use facts and definitions to develop points and provide a concluding statement or section.
Ferrall said Mai’Son had developed a strong interest in books that Cole has helped develop.
The second-grader spends much of his library time discussing books with Cole, Ferrall added, and those conversations led to his idea of making his own book. Mai’Son even asked to use his recess time to work on the book and spend extra time in the library.
Along with encouraging his classmates and Ferrall to learn about turtles, Mai’Son has also inspired his classmates to write their own books. Cole said she has had several students ask if they too could write a book.
“I tell them to try and do your best, be brave and be confident,” Mai’Son said.
“I like that I have a book. I like all of these turtles and I like that Ms. Cole helped me with it.”
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