What happens when students realize the world is their audience? Magic!

At Kempsville Elementary, Mrs. Taylor’s 2nd graders traded the traditional “turn-it-in-and-forget-it” writing mindset for something far more electrifying: global publishing. With Book Creator as their platform, these young authors didn’t just write, they launched their stories into the world and watched, in real time, as their audience grew across the map.
This wasn’t just a lesson. It was a moment!

The kind of moment that sparks confidence, ignites curiosity, and proves that even 2nd graders can have a global impact when given the tools and trust to share their voice.

Day 1: Launching student stories on Book Creator

As an Instructional Technology Coach, I’m always on a mission to amplify student voice and help kids take ownership of their learning. I’ve been a fan of Book Creator since 2015, and this year, I saw a chance to take it to the next level—specifically in 2nd grade writing.

To spark more engagement, I introduced students to Book Creator’s live analytics map—a tool that drops a pinpoint anywhere in the world their book is read.

That feature changed everything!

What started as a simple research project quickly became a global publishing experience. The goal shifted from “just get your facts down” to “let’s show the world what we’ve got.” I told Mrs. Taylor’s class:

“You’ll be able to see every place your story reaches.”
“You might even get readers on the other side of the globe!”
“You’re not just a student anymore—you’ll be a published author.”

The hype was real. And then, Riley stepped up!

By the end of the week, she was the first to finish and publish her book. I sent the link home to her family so they could celebrate. But secretly? I had already shared it with my entire PLN on social media.

And that’s when things really took off!

We use our school’s morning news to build culture and shout out student achievements, so I featured Riley in a “Student Shout Out.” I showed off her published book, shared an image of her live analytics map, and revealed to the entire school: “Yes, published books have a MAP that shows you where in the world your book is read!”

That one reveal? Total game-changer.

That one moment created a ripple effect that was unforgettable! Excitement spread like wildfire. Suddenly, students all over the building were asking:

“Can I publish mine next?”
“Did you see my book?”
“When can you help me edit mine?”

We went from “Do I have to write?” to “Can I publish today?”

📚 Explore our student showcase library

And the best part? I didn’t have to force it. The care, the creativity, the pride? They owned it! It’s the pure joy students feel when they realize they’re not just doing a school project, but they’re becoming authors. Their excitement is so real, so contagious, that it makes me light up every time.

I live for learning experiences that bring that kind of energy. When kids are proud of what they’ve created. When they know someone in another city or country just read their story, they rise to the moment. That’s the magic of Book Creator. It turns a lesson into a memory.

Here’s the book that helped spark that excitement:

Day 7: Boosting literacy and engagement through global publishing

Let’s be honest, writing mechanics in 2nd grade can be a tough sell. These students had resisted those classic reminders like “Capitalize the first word in a sentence” all year... until we introduced this project. I told them clearly:
If your sentence doesn’t start with a capital, I’m stopping your edit session.
Suddenly? Capital letters were everywhere, and it didn’t take weeks. It took days. That was an Ah-Ha moment for their teacher Mrs. Taylor!

This wasn’t just about mechanics. Students dug deeper in their research, wrote more descriptively, and were learning soft skills around presentation, digital design, and revision. For this project they were also given a “research assistant” in their book template from SchoolAI.

The publishing process made everything feel more real, it was filled with joy, and raised the bar in the best way!

Try the same remixable template we used:

Building a culture of student publishing with Book Creator

To keep students focused and fired up, I structured the project like a mini publishing pipeline.

All students began in a “Research Library,” where graphic tools were turned off. (During the launch lesson, I let them design their covers—just enough creative spark to hook them before the real work began!)

Once their research met our rubric and template expectations, they unlocked access to the “Phase 2 Library”—a new space where the graphics were turned on and they could dive into layout and design using Book Creator and Adobe Express.

Students who went above and beyond earned a spot in the “Showcase Folder.” This was our high bar—our author spotlight zone.

This structure didn’t just organize the process, it supercharged motivation.
Kids wanted to move up.
They asked for revision.
They begged for feedback.
They even coached each other through edits and upgrades.

And no, not every student made it to the showcase, and that’s by design. This wasn’t just about publishing. It was about learning how to aim higher. We used peer examples to celebrate quality and show what’s possible when you dig deeper and own your work.

Extending student impact with global audience reach

This wasn’t just a one-classroom moment. We celebrated these student authors schoolwide. Their books were shared on the news, celebrated in Seesaw messages home, and viewed by families around the world. One parent told us it was the first time their child came home and couldn’t stop talking about what they did in school!

Our initial excitement for Book Creator was created when we scheduled a visit from Farmer Faubs, from Book Creator. Leading up to her visit, I played her “Egg-Smash: Yeehaw Minute” tutorials on our morning news for over a week without telling them who she was. They could see that it was a TikTok video, and that alone drew them in along with the tips they could use. A few days before her arrival it was announced by sharing a video from Farmer Faubs that she had heard about the students and was coming to visit! By the time we announced her visit, they were convinced a celebrity was coming to town. 🤠🐣

Seeing her in person created a powerful connection between the digital tools we use and the real people behind them. It made Book Creator feel even more relevant, and even more magical.

Now that the spark has been lit, we’re planning to start even earlier next year. More teachers are on board. More students are excited. Publishing isn’t a one-time event—it’s becoming part of our culture.

Why student publishing with Book Creator enhances learning and confidence

Publishing isn’t just a tech tool or a final step, it’s a transformation. It gives kids voice, pride, and purpose! When students know their work is going to be seen by a real audience, they care more, write better, and push themselves to grow.
My advice for teachers?

Let go of perfect. Let go of control. Build the structure, set the bar, and then step aside and watch your students soar.
Book Creator sets the stage, but the magic happens when students take the lead and create something that’s truly their own.

How to launch your own student authors using Book Creator

You don’t need a publishing house to publish powerful voices, you just need the right tools, the right mindset, and a little hype!

Try what we did:
✅ Start with a remixable Book Creator template
✅ Add a research assistant chatbot with SchoolAI
✅ Build excitement with publishing levels, student showcases, and a map that proves their voice matters

Then stand back—and watch your students rise.

Because when kids know the world is listening, they write like it!