MARION, IOWA - Burma Willingham works alongside a special needs first grader at Oakridge School in Marion. But now she has the potential to reach students throughout the country. For first graders the pictures make or break the story. That makes this storyteller a local celebrity. Burma Willingham's daughter saw raw talent in her mom's drawings and showcased Burma's work on a custom made web page. A publisher in Arkansas loved her work and drew up a contract. Now Burma is in print. This special education assistant's name is on three books. They're designed for use in classrooms. Oakridge School just received its first shipment. Miss Burma would like to bring more children's stories to life. Especially for the students she loves to teach. Burma Willingham hopes to start writing and illustrating books next.

And she says none of this would be possible if her daughter hadn't posted her drawings on a web page and convinced her they were publish-worthy.

 

Story Created: Nov 9, 2006 at 5:08 PM CST

Story Updated: Nov 9, 2006 at 5:32 PM CST