I'm working on a new project involving student illustrators.  I've been doing substitute teaching at our local high school & middle school this year.  The students are fascinated with me being an author.  As I share my books, they comment about the illustrations drawn by my friend Anne Hogue.  Some mentioned they'd like to illustrate books at some time in the future.

I had the brilliant idea of allowing them to illustrate a book for me.  I felt I needed some books for 1st and 2nd grade readers, as this age group hasn't received as much attention as the age groups had.

So, I wrote the text to an ABC book focusing on this age group. 

I'm offering the opportunity to our Riverside School District high school and middle school students at the Wathena, KS campus to illustrate this book.

I placed the text on a sheet of paper, with a line drawn to provide an 8" x 8" drawing space.  My instructions

included the elements of illustration lay-out and content.

I introduced these the art class students I subbed for yesterday and the students who accepted the invitation are eagerly working on their chosen illustrations.  I expect to see their rough drafts within a few days.

Both the art teacher and the school principal are very excited about this project.  It will allow those students who like to draw and opportunity to have their work and names highlighted in the book.

And it will provide me with a new source of illustrators.

I don't have a timeline for publication, but I'll be anxious to share updates on this project as we move forward.  The book is entitled "Did You Know?"  and the pages include alphabet references to things these young readers might not know.

Examples of text to be illustrated include:

Did you know apples grow on apple trees and bears like to eat berries on a bush?

Well now you know!

Did you know that chickens live in chicken coops and ducks drink water from a pond? 

Well now you know!

I'm so excited about this project and hope it will be a great success.  If so, I'll write another book for the students to illustrate next year!

Check back in to view the finished illustrations as I post them! 

Check out this website on the benefits of creating art.  It's always a good idea to help you and your children explore their creative talents!