Operation Write Now
General Dwight D. Eisenhower
“The things I saw beggar description… The visual evidence and the verbal testimony of starvation, cruelty, and bestiality were so overpowering.”
General Dwight D. Eisenhower
After viewing a liberated concentration camp
Mary Jean Eisenhower
“I started to read the materials and stories, and I could not put them down. It was so powerful to read both the student’s interpretation, as well as the direct stories from the survivors themselves. I have many times researched and studied the Holocaust, but these stories bring the experience to life.”
Mary Jean Eisenhower
Granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower
To date, hundreds of youth have participated in the writing project and over ninety books are available in sets of ten. In addition, acting stories out with our free Reader’s Theaters is a fun option. The scripts are available to download and use in your community with instructions are found on our website.Great activity for any group, young or old, to perform online.
Network in your community to find an interesting story and to find a young person interested in hearing it, then writing andillustrating it. Maximum two students per book project (one author and one illustrator).
Follow instructions Writer's guidelines are available on our website. There are videos to watch with your young author and illustrator. Find the Writing Coach instructions for the adult in charge as well.
Writing as you will learn in our instructions, the Writing Coach prepares a two-page bio with information learned at the interview. Be sure to research and fact check and ask author to do the same. In many cases, you can add more details to a certain event (i.e. tell the young reader more facts about Battle of the Bulge if your veteran fought there).
Photographs are needed for the book project so having a scanner on your phone (or just taking a very clear picture with your smartphone) is necessary. In many cases, family may have old pictures digitized. Illustrator may be willing to draw people so they need to see the pictures for possible inclusion in the book project. The artist needs to go online on look at photos of the time period so their artwork is accurate.
Fundraising is optional. Book sets in your public library or local classrooms will inspire new authors. Check with local Allstate Agent or Walmart store. Their community grants are wonderful and simple. If this isn’t your gifting, ask a friend.
This volunteer effort is perfect for retired teachers, historical society team, members of Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) or anyone interested in preserving history.