Wednesday, August 12  10:00 am - 12:00 Noon
Friday, August 14           10:00 am - 12:00 Noon
Wednesday, August 19  10:00 am - 12:00 Noon
Friday, August 21           10:00 am - 12:00 Noon

Tuition: $80 per adult/child pair 
Materials: $20 per adult/child pair

This class provides you with an opportunity to write and illustrate an 8- to 32-page children’s book in partnership with your child. The class process supports developing a story line which reflects values your family holds dear. You'll have time to talk about what's important to your family and why. The story’s characters are developed based on characters of interest to your child. You do not have to have experience writing or making books, but if you do, that’s great. 

The class was developed with eight-year-olds in mind, but is applicable to children a couple years younger or older, depending on their skills and interests. By the end of the class, you will have a book to treasure, and copies make great gifts from your child to other adults important in your child’s life.  

Parents and children will work in pairs with a maximum of six pairs, but we will all be learning from one another. We will meet for four two-hour sessions. John will share a book he has written and guide discussion as you develop your stories with character selection, action, and theme. 

All materials will be provided. 

Participants will be asked to wash their hands on entering and wear masks when moving around the school. Social distancing will be observed at all times. Hand sanitizer and hand-washing stations will be available.

About the instructor: John Kopp has had a career working with children of all abilities and their families. After graduating from North Dakota State University with a master’s degree in psychology, he spent the next 37 years working with families and caregivers in the development and implementation of positive ways to work with challenging behavior.

He knows firsthand the importance of families connecting around important values and having fun in the process. While living in Eastern North Dakota he and his wife regularly brought their children to Minnesota to camp, hike, and canoe. Some of his favorite memories with his family were visits to Ely, and now he has moved here to enjoy it every day. He likes to boast that his kids are jealous that he gets to live up here in the Northwoods.