“The only requirement needed to be an artist is to like to draw and the only requirement needed to be an author is to like to write; you can start now,” said Caldecott Honor-winning author and illustrator Oge Mora when she met with Todd second and third graders recently.
Known for her picture book, “Thank you, Omu,” Mora discussed her work, as well as her childhood, growing up with eight siblings and many cousins.
Mora shared with the students that she finds inspiration everywhere.
“Stories are everywhere – creativity is keeping your eyes open to all the stories that are around us,” she said. “I got into reading because the local library was across from my house, and I went there every day after school with my siblings.”
That, she said, was the inspiration for her picture book, “Saturday,” which is about a girl who visits the library every Saturday with her mother.
In addition to reading throughout her childhood, she was also passionate about drawing and shared some artwork that she made as a young child, as well as a teenager.
“How many of you like to draw?” she asked the students.
Many raised their hands.
“Well, guess what? You’re an artist! The only requirement is that you like to draw. If you like to write, you are an author. The only requirement to be an author is to make books in whatever form. You don’t have to say, “I’m going to be an author one day.” Just do it now – take paper and write or draw.”
Mora shared her process of creating a picture book, which takes two years, plus another year for it to get published.
“I like to start with words, so when I find an interesting story, I write it down and then make revisions,” she said and showed students her workroom and her picture book drafts.
At the end of the presentation, students had the chance to ask questions and also share some of their favorite books, as she was very interested in knowing what books they like to read.
“I always like to ask what students love to read because I write for children, so I want to hear directly from them,” she said.
Mora, who is currently juggling several projects, including a new picture book, a window installation for a library and illustrating a Leo Lionni book, said she hopes students can realize that anybody can be an artist or an author.
“I also hope students let books inspire them and take them places,” she added.
