School Visit

I feel like I climbed Mount Everest today and lived to tell about it.

It was my first official school visit as an illustrator. I was invited to speak to my daughters third grade class about what it's like to illustrate children's books.  I thought it would be a great way to get my feet wet but when Ms. Smith (emily's teacher) informed me last week that there would  be  90+ children attending , I thought I was going to faint. The presentation turned out to be for the entire third grade at school.  You have to understand that speaking in public is a massive hurdle that I have been trying to overcome these past few years so this was a very big deal for me,  I wasn't sure I could do it.
I felt like I was in a dream walking through the doors to the school today. "You can do this , roz, you can do this. Emily is so excited, you can't let her down." Do you know that hot, sweaty , fainty feeling? That's what I had.

Well all I can say is, WOW. If i had known what it was going to be like to speak to the kids , I would have been calling every day last week begging to come early!! I'm not kidding. They were the most receptive , sweet kids in the whole wide world and I had such a blast!  My Emily was such a tremendous help, she sat next to me and was my "assistant". The hardest part was getting started but after that it seemed to go well, at least the kids made me feel like it did, I can barely remember what I said. hahaha  This experience reminded me of why I illustrate. Their energy was infectious!

Snowbear, you were right, the kids made me feel like I was queen for a day.It was so cute, they asked for my autograph. My autograph! teehee.

My only regret is that I didn't think to bring a disposable camera. One of the kids could have been taking snaps (that probably would have caused a ruckus,though, kids love to take pictures) of the presentation and I could have posted it here. But it's something to remember for next time. NEXT TIME.  I can't believe those words just typed themselves on the keyboard.

Speaking of school visits,I have heard through the grapevine that the wonderful Anastasia Suen is starting an online workshop on school visits.  I may have to take it. But first I'm taking her picture-book writing workshop that starts on the 25th of this month. Looking forward to it!

Comments

[Snowbear]

Hedge--you are so secretive about these matters--who knew?
Congratulations on wearing the crown and being Queen for a Day. I told ya so! The kids are always great and very appreciative. Just hope you always get a parking space!

[wynlen]

Congratulations, and great to hear that you enjoyed it and wants to do it again. Sounds great. I hope I'll get to experience to speak about my work to children sometime in the future.

[Tine]

Soooo proud of you Roz, you are awesome!! :-D
I can imagine what it was like, soo fantastic. I am so happy for you that you stepped out of your box!! Emily must have been the proudest student in the whole school for having such a great mom... ;-)

xoxo
Tine.

[Maeflower]

Way to go Roz! Those kids are probably the best audience you'll ever have. They're still sweet, and to them, you're a magical creature who gets to DRAW and make ART for a living! woooow. If this is any indication of how kids work: I almost always read a picture book of some kind when I introduce a new topic or unit of study to my seventh graders. When I pull out that book, and explain what we're going to study and how the book relates to it, my kids get so excited! They come sit on the floor at my feet and pay such close attention. Oh, and seeing the pictures is the most important part! They are never so well behaved as they are when I'm reading aloud to them. :)

[roz]

Thanks you guys, I appreciate the support!
Snowbear, no not secretive, just overwhelmed with a lot this week. I had fully intended on sharing the news with you all much sooner. =o)

Mae, I'm so thrilled to read that 7th graders still get excited about books too!
You must have so much fun with your students.

[janee]

Yay Roz! And yay to helper Emily too!!!

[violette]

Congratulations! I'll bet you were really inspiring! I wish i was a fly on the wall.

Cheers,
Violette

[Don]

Hey Roz,

I haven't visited you in awhile, and I'm sorry because I always enjoy it here when I do. Congratz on the school visit! I remember my first visits didn't turn out as well as yours did. I was just a scared chicken, scared of 2nd graders, go figure. I did awful, but they'd swarm me for autographs afterward and make me feel like a celebrity. Now today I got invited to speak at a conference in Tampa where I will have to do a panel discussion and lead two workshops! And my stomach is reverting back to those 2nd grade speaking days. Oh my gosh.