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.