–
“I love you visiting author.”
–
–
“You me.”
–
Tag Archive for Student artwork
Student Artwork: 2 Wonderful Notes Handed to Me!
Category: School Visits / Tags: James Preller school visits, Student art James Preller, Student artwork
A Few Shining Samples of Student Art, via Texas!
It’s one of the nice things about visiting schools. After a presentation, teachers sometimes ask their classes to quick write “thank you” notes, which often include student artwork.
And, of course, who doesn’t love art created by young people? It’s so pure and open-hearted.
Let’s do this!
This is by Loyi.
From Bryant.
A self-portrait from Kevin.
Leonardo put us together in this one, both holding books.
Jennifer drew this one. Don’t you love the red hair?
Another smiling self-portrait, this one from Italiaim. (Hope I got that right.)
By Fernanda. So lovely.
And once again all I can feel is fortunate.
Blessed, lucky, honored, grateful, touched.
All those things and more.
Thanks guys, and thank you to anyone who has ever drawn a picture for me, or just said “thank you” after a presentation.
I carry these in my heart.
You Are So Welcome!
–
Yesterday I cleaned out one of the bags I use for school visits. It’s surprising what I find in there. Old electric bills, paper scraps with hastily jotted-down ideas, Donald Trump’s taxes, lint-covered cookies (still delicious!), plus random notes and drawings that are handed to me by students mid-flight. As I rush down the hall seeking a bathroom, usually. The shy kid — with a friend, for bravery! — comes up and silently hands a paper to me. I am grateful, I am thankful, but I gotta go, so I stuff it into the bag, shake hands, and hurry to the next thing.
Thank you, sorry, gotta go.
Here’s one I wanted to share, because it’s all any of us ever really want. To feel noticed. To feel appreciated, recognized for our worth and our work. I am fortunate to enjoy a career where I am given notes like this one. Everyone should have that experience.
Category: School Visits / Tags: James Preller school visits, Student art James Preller, Student artwork
Fan Mail Wednesday #182: A Jigsaw Jones Fan from Canada
A tough time of year for fan mail, since I’m trying to respond before the school year ends. Oh well, I can only do my best. Here’s one that came from Canada — and included original art.
–
–
I replied:
Dear Shane:
Thank you for your kind letter. I’m glad that you enjoyed the first book in the “Jigsaw Jones” series. I wrote 40 of them. (Crazy, I know.) But don’t worry, you don’t have to read them in order. Or any of them, for that matter.
When I searched “marshmallow monster” on my computer, I found this. Yipes! It has nothing to do with my book. I don’t think I’ll ever eat a marshmallow again.
The books are getting hard to find these days –- they like to hide in dark places, like hamsters -– but it sounds to me like your teacher has several in your classroom. Be sure to thank her for me.
Also, libraries are great places, don’t you think? I recommend that you go to the library often this summer. All those beautiful books and fabulous air conditioning!
I love that you included an illustration with your letter. What a nice bonus!
Have a terrific, fun-filled, book-filled summer.
My best,
James Preller
P.S. If you like scary stories, you might want to check out my “Scary Tales” series. There are four books out so far. You might want to wait a year or two, it depends on how you feel about spooky things. Maybe you should only read them during the day?
Fan Mail #167: My New Favorite Reader of All Time (w/ Artwork!)
Here’s a sweet letter from a sweet letter-writer named Bridget. And, oh yes, she included original artwork that I can add to my Fabulous Gallery of Fame.
My reply:
Dear Bridget,
Thank you so much for that lovely, well-written letter. I feel blessed to have you as a reader. Truly. You made my heart rise up into my throat there for a second. Forgive me, while I try to hack it out . . .
Cough, cough, COUGH . . . HACK, whomp, COUGH.
Ah, that’s better.
I’m sorry it’s taken a while for me to respond. That happens sometimes when readers write directly to the publisher, there’s a bit of lag time. Plus, you know what else happened to me? I had EAR SURGERY.
Yeah, that’s right. Yuck.
It’s left me a bit vertiginous.
Should I wait while you run off to find a dictionary? Oh, nevermind. I was just showing off my awesome vocabulary. It means that I’m dizzy.
I loved your artwork, thanks for that. You are awesomely talented.
I’m very glad you liked that particular book. It’s one of my favorites, too. I had fun with the substitute art teacher, whom I loosely modeled after Stevie Nicks, a singer from the band Fleetwood Mac. I like that she’s kind of New Agey, which is a nice way of calling her a “Space Cadet.”
I actually have a sister, Barbara, who is a little like that. Hey, you live in California — you must know the type.
Your letter was lovely, of course, but what’s this business about me being “ONE” of your favorite authors? You mean I’m not the only one?! Numero uno? The top banana?
(I’m pouting now, depressed.)
Seriously, I love so many different books. When people ask me about my favorite authors, I can never decide on just one. It’s just a long, long, long list. And I’m really happy, Bridget, to be on yours.
Oh yes, almost forgot. Your mom is incredible! You are lucky that she takes you to the library so often. Give her a squeeze for me.
Keep reading, drawing, and writing.
My very best to you,
JP
P.S. I have a new series coming out this July called SCARY TALES. Just right for fans of Jigsaw Jones who don’t mind a case of the shivers.
P.P.S. I’ve included a video of Stevie Nicks below, so you get the idea. She was famous for wearing flowy dresses and twirling around a lot. Oh well. The 80’s were a confusing time for many of us!
){kind=link}