The Telling Room in Portland recognized twelve young writers from the Center for Teaching and Learning in Edgecomb. After receiving more than 200 submissions from talented young Maine writers aged 6-11, The Telling Room chose over 80 pieces to be published in their new book. In fact, they received so many submissions that they decided to publish two books: “Stepping Stones,” an anthology of stories and poems, and “Footprints,” a book of nature poetry of the four seasons. 

“Stepping Stones” includes work by three CTL authors: “One! Two! Three! Jump!” by Mary Philbrick, “Full Steam Ahead” by Carter Wilson, and “The Fire’s Gift” by Fina Record. Footprints contains pieces from ten CTL poets: “Human Squirrel,” “Worth the Hurt,” and “Nantucket Surf” by Josee Winston-Feder, “Fruity Pebbles” by Mary Philbrick, “It’s Snowing Outside” by Adelaide Trafton, “Mountain Racer” and “ Earth Scraper” by Davis Awamleh, “Rainbow Sky” by Morganne Phelps, “A Robber’s Gift” by Kelly Manahan, “A Walk in the Wild Woods” by Elijah DePietro, “Seeing a Porpoise” by Meghan Arnold, “Night at the Lake” by Ellie Cotta, and “Rowing on Ripples” and “Hidden Creatures” by Lily Coleman.

The Telling Room is a literary arts education organization that seeks to empower youth through writing and share their voices with the world. Stepping Stones and Footprints will be launched at The Telling Room’s Big Night, the organization’s annual celebration of writers, on June 16 in Deering Oaks Park in Portland. This is a free event, open to the public.