I spent a hot, sunny Saturday in a cool, comfortable library, sharing stories and making art with a crowd of enthusiastic kiddos and engaged caregivers.
In other words, it was perfect.
The lovely folks at the Vancouver Public Library, in my home province of British Columbia, Canada, invited me to participate in their Summer Reading Club as a visiting author. I was originally going to share one picture book, but because the group was so engaged, I decided to go ahead and read two – ONLY THE TREES KNOW (Kids Can Press, 2022) and QUEENIE QUAIL CAN’T KEEP UP (Pajama Press, 2019).
After the reading, I talked briefly about the process of making a picture book, answered some very thoughtful questions, and highlighted how both artists used paint to bring the stories to life, creating very different environments and atmospheres to match the books’ seasonal settings (one wintery, the author spring-like).
Then it was time to create! I provided a smorgasbord of artistic and creative supplies to inspire and delight, including watercolours, tissue paper, markers and crayons, pom poms, stickers, and cotton balls. I showed the kiddos my example artwork, inspired by Emma Pedersen’s illustrations for Queenie Quail, but encouraged them to follow their own creative instincts. And did they ever! The children showed no hesitation, plunging into their work headfirst, freely and enthusiastically creating their own art. It was a joy to experience.
There is absolutely a time and place for “product art”, those craft activities in which children follow a series of instructions to create a specific product. Projects like this can help children learn sequencing and practice following directions, and can provide opportunities to master specific skills. But there’s also something magical about process art – projects that allow children to explore, experiment and express themselves, and I’m always excited to provide these kinds of opportunities whenever possible.
Much fun was had by all, and if I was a better marketer I would have asked someone to take pictures for me, but I was so busy interacting with my fellow creatives that I completely forgot. Good thing I’m an author and not a publicist.
I love doing author events, so if you’re a teacher and/or librarian and would like to bring me in to your community, whether in person or virtually, please don’t hesitate to reach out, and let’s see what we can make happen!