As stated many times, I live as a veritable art-hermit.
Alone all day with just Max (the cat) and Ruby (the princess Corgi) at my side, toiling away at some manuscript or book dummy or drawing silly penguin vehicles. My studio is a mere 10 footsteps from the kitchen in one direction and the great big hilly woods of central NY in the other. It’s quiet. I’m content. It’s good.
So why would I travel to an imagined horde of overly-energetic children an elementary school to give a presentation? Why not make my own sauerkraut, listen to moody music, and fret anxiously about my career at home like a normal creative recluse? Isn’t standing in front of a rowdy group of children a bit risky? And maybe you’re wondering, given your own proclivity for a somber creative bubble … IS IT WORTH IT, JACOB?
Yes. The answer is 100% yes.
There’s a lot of practical advice I can and will give someday on doing Author-Illustrator visits, but for this newsletter, I want to focus on some “top of mind” lessons I learned just last Friday:
1. Kids are AWESOME
Maybe this seems self evident, but man, I’m always shocked by just how awesome kids can be. There’s a vibrancy to their questions, an eagerness to engage their imaginations that I find utterly charming.
The school always announces me like I’m the honored guest, when I feel like I’m there to honor them. This dynamic is my favorite.
2. A well run visit always has…
a devoted teacher, staff, administrator, or librarian setting things up well in advance of your arrival. Grace Lin once told me prior to my first ever visit 5 years ago, that getting the students ready for a visit can make or break the whole thing. Having classrooms familiar with your books is huge and builds excitement. This visit, they even made me an incredible banner that helped them get ready to host and was a super nice surprise.
3. Comfortable
I get worked up a bit before a school visit. It’s the largely the unknown of walking into a school I’ve never been to and talking to a bunch of people I haven’t met yet. This trip, I found my way to the office with my box o’ books and swag and was a bit disheveled. A 2nd grader was sitting there and said “Are you the illustrator?” with a hopeful tone. We chatted for a minute and I knew everything was going to be okay.
I think this is unlikely to be true for everyone, but goodness I feel more at ease after chatting with someone from the intended audience. It can be as the kids are coming in, or in the hall ways on the way in, whatever. It makes a difference in my outlook. Noted for next time.
4. Listen, really listen
In a new environment, away from my artistically sealed studio, in a potentially awkward social interaction, my ears can suddenly stop working as I move to fill the space with the sound of my own voice. This does the opposite of what I intend. I want to hear and value every kids input when I ask for help with our shared drawing project. I want to faithfully and honorably answer their questions. I think, this visit, I did a good job of focusing on them and really listening. There is no better way to say “you’re important to me” than this.
5. It’s like a gallery show opening or movie premiere
No, there’s no fancy drinks or appetizers. No paparazzi. I mean, you toil away at your craft, searching for stories and jokes, little things that might resonate with a young reader when they open up that book but you don’t really know how well it will be received…until a school visit. You, as an artist-storyteller can share the thing you’ve made with the people it’s for, in real time. There’s joy in this that is pure and wildly fulfilling.
6. That moment
During the Q&A at the end, there was only time for one more question. I pointed to a boy, but the girl behind him thought I was talking to her. He asked his question as her face dropped and she crossed her arms. I made a mental note to seek her out and hear her question. As they were dismissed, she made her way to the stage before I could find her and said “I didn’t really have a question… It was more of a statement. I’m going to be an author or illustrator when I grow up.” I gave he the secret fist bump of all author-illustrators, knowing she’d know what it meant. I said “You’ll do great, kid.”
And I meant it.
I just wanted to say I appreciate your readership and attention. I’ve slowly been reaching out to my paid subscribers via the Substack chat to say hi and thank you. I’m grateful to have you along for our journey together. Ok, enough cheesy stuff. See you next week, ya goons.
Making me feel more comfortable to start doing school visits!
This is so heartwarming. I'm gonna have to keep No. 3 in mind. I've only done online "visits" which is a whole other can of worms. But one thing I can say: Kids sure know how to remind you that drawing is basically like having magic powers!