Testimonials, Interview, and Success Stories
Interviews with participants and their parents.
Corporate | Business | Civic | Education
Corporate Success Stories
“Banc One Corporation sponsored this event because by doing so, we were able to: support our customer, small business, and children's education and learning. It was a great workshop that was fun and educational for all involved.”
— Barbara Lechner Watson, Banc One Corporation, Springfield, Illinois.
“United Community Bank is proud to support a project that offers young people an opportunity to see their creative thoughts in print. It is a pleasure to observe a young person experiencing pride and satisfaction as they learn.”
— United Community Bank, Pawnee, Illinois.
Business Success Stories
“I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to be involved in this terrific project! Books by kids for kids -- to help teach the next generation of our customers all about our industry! But even more important than the commercial benefits of this project is the commitment to improving literacy in our communities. A prime focus of the Illinois Movers' and Warehousemen's Association is building partnerships with our members' communities. This project is perfect in so many ways to accomplish this goal.”
“What started in 1997 as a straightforward PR project to market the moving business has blossomed into a legacy beyond my wildest dreams. While it's true our "kids' book" is a natural marketing tool for our members to provide to customers, we've also received inquiries from all over the world (thanks to the internet) from people whose children are having a difficult time adjusting to moving to a new home. We've provided copies of our book to summer reading programs faced with limited funding. This simple little book has become a timeless treasure, well beyond what we ever could have imagined.”
— Patricia McLaughlin, Executive Director, Illinois Movers' and Warehousemen's Association. (http://www.imawa.com/)
Great Universal Business Network
“This is a great book for today's children -- the world's future entrepreneurs. It is ironic that in many ways, children are better at networking than we adults! Unfortunately, I believe that the natural skills many of us have to connect and network with others, is downplayed and minimized throughout the educational process. I applaud this book because it is the first of its kind. It takes something that is very important but not taught in school and it tells our children about it in their own words.”
— Ivan Misner, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of BNI (Business Network International)
“Rochester State Bank believes in the concept that WeWrite promotes in the classroom. We are confident that this will have a long-term effect upon these children as their level of education advances. By generating literary interest with the WeWrite hands-on approach, we will all benefit.”
— Dennis Pierce, Vice President, Rochester State Bank, Rochester, Illinois.
Pictured: Illustrator Troy Freeman (Left) & Dennis Pierce, VP, Rochester State Bank (Right)
“It's a pleasure being associated with a company that is making a difference with children and corporate America. Children become excited about reading and that inspires corporations who become involved.”
— Michael A. Reid, CPA, Accountant, Springfield, (Illinois).
Civic Success Stories
“This (event of September 11th) has changed the world for these children, forever. They struggle with this whole issue of where they are going to go, what they are going to do. I think the books are an excellent idea as you can return to a book. I can talk and say it once but a book will say it many times. This is a pretty powerful way to state it.”
— Gene Brodland, L.C.S.W., family therapist.
“The best part (of making the story) is the excitement, feelings, and action. I get to think and write out what's on my mind.”
— Tera Edwards, age 10, Co-author of War? I'm Scared!
“I like saying the stuff from my point of view. It's a kid's book for schools and stuff. Instead of reading gory stuff they can read this and get facts off this book.”
— Lance Morgan, age 11, Co-author of War? I'm Scared!
“I think this story will really help someone. It's helpful on how gangs can ruin your life. It shows you there's a better way than robbing.”
— Zach, age 11, Co-author of PRISON-Not Me!
“The inmates may not realize what they have missed at home until they read this book and ... it adds feelings.”
— Warden Anthony Scillia, Taylorville (Illinois) Correctional Center,
After the kids told what Daddy missed when he was in prison, the co-authors came up with 10 Rules to Go Straight -- good advice for anyone. It was created by fifth-graders in Memorial School, Taylorville. None of the co-authors had an inmate as a relative. It was all acted out as 'What if...?'
(Publisher's note: PRISON-Not Me! is a tear-jerker of a story.)
Educational Success Stories
Mr. Lincoln and the Time Train
“(There are...) several of the WeWrite books in the school library and I enjoyed reading them. I especially enjoyed Lincoln and the Time Train. Turns out the bit about Lincoln receiving a patent came in handy; that weekend I was at a trivia night, and our table was the only one to get it correct (everyone else went with Jefferson). Thank you, WeWrite!”
— Andrew Axup, Parent of Rock Island, Illinois Elementary Children
“I was so proud to debut the booklet at the Illinois State Fair in my Futures for Kids tent. I think that parents and young people alike will find this to be very helpful in starting the discussion on teen drug use.”
— Lura Lynn Ryan, First Lady of Illinois (Teens Talk)
“I am delighted to be connected with this project. My mother (for whom the Barbara Krolick Memorial Fund was created), would have been proud to know that children worked together to create such an inspiring story.”
— Jamie Kyle Gillian, Senior Editor, Creative Classroom (New York).
(Publisher's note: Third-grade teacher Anita Kern won a grant funded by the Barbara Krolick Memorial Fund. Those funds provided seed money for her third-grade class to publish WHINE OUT, a whiny kid we all recognize in our own homes.)
“What impressed me as I watched the WeWrite Workshops was the enthusiasm of the students...It is truly a student-driven process. I also like the give-and-take and the decision-making process used. The students had to work cooperatively to create their story.”
— Tom Bertrand, Principal, Rochester, Illinois Elementary School.