A lot of writers spend a lifetime working to get their work published.

For students in Brook Roberts’ fourth grade class at North Laurinburg Elementary, the wait wasn’t nearly that long. Many haven’t reached double digits in the age column and they can already add published writer to their resumés.

As part of a class project, the students wrote stories to contribute to Tall Tales of the Croatan National Forest. The book was sent to publisher Studentreasures and earlier this week, the hardback books were delivered to the school.

According to Roberts, the book was an outgrowth of a genre study the students completed that involved reading Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.

“As an extension of this lesson,” said Roberts, “I asked the students to write a tall tale skit or story of their own. We chose the Croatan National Forest as the setting for our tales because it is located in North Carolina and fourth grade social studies consists of the study of our state. We used our Smart Board lessons to find information on the forest online and researched the environment and animals that lived there.”

The students then developed their tales explaining the creation of the forest using fictional characters and animals, “as long as the animals were combinations of animals that can really be found in the area.”

The stories were then fine-tuned before being shipped off to the publisher through performances of skits complete with backdrops and props that the students created.

“Our students worked very hard to develop all the elements of their stories,” said Roberts, “and I am proud to be the teacher of these fine authors.”

“Tall Tales of the Croatan National Forest is proof that students can be turned-on to learning and successfully accomplish tasks never imagined,” said North Laurinburg Principal Melody Snead. “Our fourth grade students magnificently integrated reading, science and social studies skills while planning and implementing this splendid class project. I am extremely proud to be owner of an autographed copy of this delightful book.”

Anyone wanting a copy of Tall Tales of the Croatan National Forest can purchase one by contacting Brooke Roberts at broberts@scsnc.org. The cost of the book is $22.90, including shipping. She is accepting orders until Friday.