Author visits Muscota
This week we were honored with a visit by author/illustrator David Ezra Stein.
David has published four children’s books, including Cowboy Ned and Andy, Ned’s New Friend, Leaves, and Monster Hug. Over the past month our K/1 and 2/3 classes have been studying David’s books, reflecting on his work through their own drawing and writing.
In preparing for David’s visit, students talked about how they are author/illustrators too, and this idea hit home for them when David shared drawings and stories he created as a child.
David invited students up to read the roles of Scaly Monster and Hairy Monster from Monster Hug.
Students were interested in how one’s sketches and stories are transformed into hardcover-bound books. David showed students what the test book jackets for Monster Hug look like.
David talked with students about how to draw emotions on characters faces. 
Students practiced their happy faces, and made observations about what their mouths and eyebrows looked like.
All of those drama classes with Dayna are paying off! Some impressive angry faces. 
To give you a sense of our students’ excitement about meeting David yesterday, picture the Beatles’ first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.
David talked with a fan about his books.
Vanessa and Lesia’s classes shared a group photo with David.
All in all, it was a fantastic day with David, who stayed for a bit to autograph a few books and visit with teacher. Classes are already working on thank-you notes.
Drop by the library during parent conferences this week to see the sketches David created at Muscota and our student work, all of which are on display in the library.
For more information about David, visit his website at www.davidezra.com. To purchase his books online, visit his results page at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.