A Sneak Peek at the Book
Get ready for an exciting day at school as the story Great Faces From South Dakota: How Big Can A South Dakota Kid Dream? comes to life.
The teacher has assigned her fourth grade class to research notable South Dakotans from the past, and this is the day that the kids come to school dressed like their famous person and ready to share their reports. With each turn of the page, the teacher begins to realize that her students have really taken their assignment to heart. Their costumes are elaborate and detailed - and when she calls each student by name, they let her know that today, they are dreaming big.
Of the engaging and imaginative manuscript, Danika says, “Our idea for the book is to help kids learn about South Dakotans who accomplished great things. I hope kids will realize that they can also dream big and grow up to make a difference in our state and the world.”
For her book project, Danika teamed with her former teacher Dr. Joanna Jones, who has co-authored several historical books related to Black Hills people and places. Now retired from teaching and living in Spearfish, Jones believes their “Great Faces” book will appeal to elementary students and teachers across the state and spark an interest in South Dakota history. Ultimately, with an array of famous South Dakotans who have achieved great things, Jones says their concept could become a series of books that feature notable South Dakotans throughout history.
Gordon and Jones worked with Rapid City artist Sharon Grey to create illustrations for the children’s picture book. They also garnered endorsement for the project from First Lady Linda Daugaard, who wrote a brief foreword for the book.
The student-teacher team looks forward to speaking engagements with schools and community groups across the state to personally engage with students and teachers about the unique stories of notable South Dakotans, and to encourage interest in the researching and creative writing process. Danika says, "I would love to see other kids and classrooms write their own books."
For more information about the project contact [email protected] or (605)722-7699 or [email protected] or (605)450-0121.
The teacher has assigned her fourth grade class to research notable South Dakotans from the past, and this is the day that the kids come to school dressed like their famous person and ready to share their reports. With each turn of the page, the teacher begins to realize that her students have really taken their assignment to heart. Their costumes are elaborate and detailed - and when she calls each student by name, they let her know that today, they are dreaming big.
Of the engaging and imaginative manuscript, Danika says, “Our idea for the book is to help kids learn about South Dakotans who accomplished great things. I hope kids will realize that they can also dream big and grow up to make a difference in our state and the world.”
For her book project, Danika teamed with her former teacher Dr. Joanna Jones, who has co-authored several historical books related to Black Hills people and places. Now retired from teaching and living in Spearfish, Jones believes their “Great Faces” book will appeal to elementary students and teachers across the state and spark an interest in South Dakota history. Ultimately, with an array of famous South Dakotans who have achieved great things, Jones says their concept could become a series of books that feature notable South Dakotans throughout history.
Gordon and Jones worked with Rapid City artist Sharon Grey to create illustrations for the children’s picture book. They also garnered endorsement for the project from First Lady Linda Daugaard, who wrote a brief foreword for the book.
The student-teacher team looks forward to speaking engagements with schools and community groups across the state to personally engage with students and teachers about the unique stories of notable South Dakotans, and to encourage interest in the researching and creative writing process. Danika says, "I would love to see other kids and classrooms write their own books."
For more information about the project contact [email protected] or (605)722-7699 or [email protected] or (605)450-0121.