The sky’s the limit for McDonough author, illustrator — Students write and illustrate Spanish language children’s book | details

The sky’s the limit for McDonough author, illustrator — Students write and illustrate Spanish language children’s book

The story of Mar, a blue star in a celestial sea of red, orange and yellow ones, comes to life in the Spanish language children’s book, “Mar la Estrella: La Estrella Perdió,” written and illustrated by two Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) high school seniors.

Maurice J. McDonough High School students Cori Avent, the author, and Cynclair Wilson, the illustrator, developed the tale and art to help children feel good about who they are and what makes them unique. 

“It’s so important that little kids, younger kids recognize that their differences are what makes them special,” Wilson said.

Avent and Wilson recently visited Arthur Middleton Elementary School to read “Mar la Estrella,” — Mar the Star — to students in kindergarten and first grade who are learning in both English and Spanish as part of the dual language, two-way immersion program housed at the school. Following the reading, Middleton students selected coloring pages featuring characters from the book to work on.

Being a published author and illustrator was a turn of events neither high schooler expected. The book project started two years before in Amanda Raniolo’s Spanish class at McDonough. During class, students read fairytales they are familiar with, but in Spanish. The practice increased their understanding of the language and grammar.

Raniolo tasked students to come up with alternative endings to the tales and when she noticed that they had fun with the project, she expanded it to have students develop original children’s stories. The stories allowed students to practice writing in Spanish past tenses — preterite and imperfect.

“There are grammar structures within storytelling that students practice throughout the year,” Raniolo said. “Through story telling it makes it more interesting for them and they get to create and tell their own story.”

It didn’t surprise Raniolo when Avent and Wilson turned in assignments of top-notch caliber. “All projects and assignments that both Cori and Cynclair have turned in for class or for the polyglot team are always extraordinary,” Raniolo said. “You can see their creative nature and they always put forth their absolute best effort.”

When Avent floated the idea of self-publishing “Mar la Estrella,” with Wilson contributing illustrations, Raniolo thought it was a great idea. She pitched in to research how to get it done. The best platform they found for publishing the book on their own was through Amazon, where it is available in paperback.

As of January, Avent and Wilson are among the Top 10 students in McDonough’s Class of 2026. Both plan to head to college in the fall where both are interested in studying engineering.

Creative pursuits aren’t off the table. Avent said she would like to keep writing, while Wilson, a lifelong artist, will continue creating. Both also are going to keep practicing Spanish, knowing that communication is the key to connecting and understanding others.

It is a lesson that “Mar la Estrella,” teaches young readers. “I want students to not only understand the importance of diversity,” Avent said, “… but also understand that language is a bridge between people.” 

Watch a CCPSTV feature about Avent’s and Wilson’s visit to Middleton at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHPyBSWfwjY.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. 

CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).