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The Island Dog Creative Writing Project was inspired by the book "Island Dog", by Maine artist Rebecca Goodale and published by Two Dog Press (www.twodogpress.com) in Brooklin, Maine. The book is based on Ms Goodale’s depiction of coastal Maine through a day in the life of a friendly, adventurous canine. The Island Dog Creative Writing Project was made possible by a grant from the Hattie A. and Freddie C. Lynam Trust and the support of Two Dog Press.
Children chose between narrating a story, writing individually and collaborating with a buddy or group. Stories were judged by a panel coordinated by Pat Horton,Youth Services Librarian at the Blue Hill Library. All participants in the Island Dog Creative Writing Project received a Certificate of Achievement. The authors of the most creative story in each category received a copy of "Island Dog", an Island Dog ribbon and a gift certificate. The six story categories were: Story Written by a Child Ages 9 -10, Story Written by a Child Ages 7 -18, Story Written by a Child Ages 5 -16, Buddy Written Story, Group Written Story and Story Narrated by Child.
The Island Dog Creative Writing Project was a tremendous success! The Downeast Dog Scouts received ninety four very creative stories with over one hundred and thirty children participating in the project.
Stories were received from: Frenchboro Elementary, Harbor House Children's Center, Home School or Sent from Home, Islesford Elementary, MDI YMCA Preschool, Mount Desert Elementary, Pemetic Elementary, Swan's Island Elementary and Tremont Elementary. Though older than the project groups, children from the fifth grade of Conners Emerson School also submitted poetry and a story to the Island Dog Creative Writing Project.
The Community Celebration of the Island Dog Project was well attended at Camp Beech Cliff in Mount Desert on Thursday evening May 6th. The children's stories were displayed on a colorful wall in recognition of their achievement. Balloons in Island Dog colors adorned the Eagles Nest Lodge for the celebration. Children and parents learned about the Downeast Dog Scouts Children Reading to Dogs Programs and read to the dogs in a comfortably decorated space of the lodge. Word games were played, and the children colored with dog bone crayons on coloring pages with an Island Dog theme. They voted for their favorite Island Dog name taken from the submitted stories. An interactive educational scavenger hunt taught the children about different breeds of dogs, the Dog Scouts, how to be safe around dogs and being a responsible dog owner. There was pizza for everyone and a decorative Island Dog cake in three flavors. Isleford children wore dog necklaces for the event and had a special boat ride to attend the Celebration and receive their certificates in person.
The child authors, their families and educators had broad smiles as Certificates of Achievement were awarded to each writer in attendance. The most creative story writers were also awarded a copy of Island Dog provided by Two Dog Press, a gift certificate and an Island Dog Ribbon. The most creative story authors of the six categories were: Christina Closson - Age 9-10. Sarah MacDonald - Age 7-8, Avonlea Brown - Age 5-6, Rocco DenDanto and Sean Murray - Buddy Written Story, Tremont Elementary Kindergarten Class - Group Written Story and Akasia Berger - Narrated By Child.
The Island Dog Creative Writing Project provided an opportunity for children to develop their expressive skills creating stories about an adventurous "Island Dog". In the process of creating "Island Dog" stories the children reflected on their own relationships with canines. The bond between children and canines is strong and unique. Promotion of positive relationships between children and canines fosters empathy and respect for others.
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