Paddlestar Galactica, the ping-pong tournament event supporting 826DC’s programs, returns on Saturday, April 27th, 1 PM to 4 PM at SPIN DC! Learn more and sign up here.
News and Events
January 2021

Group Stories, Illustrated!

Illustration

826DC has been working with first grade authors from J.O. Wilson Elementary on group storytelling! Still learning from home, the students teamed up to write their stories together remotely.

We began by peeling off into small groups. One group of young authors imagined the characters and the other group focused on creating the setting. After brainstorming and agreeing on their chosen details, it was time to share and then return to their groups to write!

[Character and setting notes, for what would become “Kally and Pop-pop” and “Bambolee’s New Shoes,” in progress]

Much like the students who joined us for in-person 826DC field trips before the COVID-19 pandemic, they crafted the beginning and middle of each story in their groups and saved the end to create on their own.

No matter which class or which group they were in, each author will end up with their own unique storybook!

No matter how the stories end, they will all feature artwork from Jean-Cédric Kouame, a local graphic designer and illustrator who previously interned with 826DC.

Jean-Cedric with 826DC students at Oyster Adams Bilingual School in 2019.
[Jean-Cédric with 826DC students at Oyster Adams Bilingual School in 2019]

Jean-Cédric drew some of the scenes that the students had dreamed up together, using the character and setting notes to make sure that he stayed true to their visions of what everything should look like.

You can check out those illustrated stories here:

Are you interested in illustrating student work?

826DC students have come up with so many creative characters and zany settings over the years, from marshmallow men and talking tacos to friendly aliens and superheroes and more. If you’d like to help us draw them, please let Andrea know! We’ll add you to our list of artists to ask.