J. C. Phillipps visits Hockanum School.

I love Spring.

In addition to the snow melting, the grass turning green, and the daffodils coming, I LOVE doing school visits.

Yesterday I was preparing a new school presentation on illustration and I wanted to add a mini bio to the front so that the kids had a sense of who I was.  When I went back through my life to pick the points that lead me to becoming an author/illustrator, I was reminded of a two key things:

One, I’ve always loved school.  I remember crying one time because my dad wanted to take me on a vacation and I would miss school.  I’m pretty sure he looked at me like I was a giant nerd.  Which I kinda am.

Two, I really, really enjoy kids.  Kids are so funny and honest and I am ten million times more comfortable chatting a group of first graders up than I am at a cocktail party.  When I’m with a group of kids I can say “What’s you favorite food?” and get a conversation started.  Adults would look at me like I’m a big weirdo.  Which I kinda am.

My first school visit of the season was at Hockanum School in East Hartford and it was great!  The kids seemed to enjoy the presentation and asked a bunch of awesome questions and we all had a blast making dreaming ninjas in the art room.  Thanks so much for having me!

As the season rolls on, I’ll have a bunch more of these to look forward to, and I’m sure they will each thrill and delight me as I go back to school.