Durham educator pens children's books

That passion has led to her to fulfill another cherished goal: "It's been a lifelong dream to be a published author."

Brown has written three children's books – "Hilda Hen," "Who is Little?" and "Hay!" – that will go into print this week.

Brown said said the books were inspired by her childhood growing up on a farm.

"'Hay' reminds me of my father who was a lifelong farmer," she said.

In the book, the farm animals escape, and the farmer has to be creative in catching them.

The plot teaches that "you don't always have to do things the same way, the same way another person does it," she said.

The Reading Recovery Foundation has included Brown's books in a special collection that will be used to teach children to read in classrooms across the country and around the world. The books will also be featured at the 2013 International Reading Conference in Australia.

Brown's books inspired children even before publication.

As she worked on the books, she shared the manuscripts with the children at the Global Scholars Academy and got their ideas for the books. 

Being part of the writing process inspired some students to become budding authors.

"The funny thing is the children are constantly bringing me manuscripts. They say to me, 'You know, Mrs. Brown, I want my books published,'" she said.

Brown said if children are encouraged to read, write and pursue their passion, then they've learned one lesson from her books.

"If you persevere, you will come out a winner," she said.

Thanks to a donor, all 105 students at the Global Scholars Academy will get a copy of one of Brown's books, which are due to come out this week. Brown will sign each book.