To support children on their reading and writing adventures, introduce them to new worlds through literacy and art, and inspire more and more future writers and illustrators, SandwiChina Research Center for Children’s Books (SRCCB) will make an endeavor to create opportunities and connect children’ book creators all over the world with kids. Stories will go on and on, so do our tireless efforts.
After a nearly two-year break resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, SandwiChina Research Center for Children’s Books (SRCCB) is gradually resuming our virtual meet and greet events, continuing to build a bridge between children’s book authors and illustrators and local kids and book lovers.
This November, we invited the American children’s book author and illustrator Jeff Mack to have a virtual meet and greet with a group of kids in Shanghai, sharing with us his childhood drawings and memories, inspirations and creative process behind his popular picture books.
Before the virtual meet, staff in our center have read the most popular picture books created by Jeff Mack to the kids, including Good News, Bad News, Ah Ha!, Just a Story, Frog and Fly, Hippo and Rabbit in Three Short Tales, and Hush Little Polar Bear. All of the kids were captivated by these hilarious and fascinating stories and could not wait to meet Jeff. They were more than curious about Jeff’s studio: where did all these stories and illustrations come from?
Just as expected, the kids were excited when they saw Jeff appearing on the screen. After receiving a warm welcome from little readers, Jeff started to share his childhood photos, reading memories with family members, and especially his very first drawings.
The kids were obviously amazed by the big progress that Jeff made between early drawings and later drawings after his continuous practice. Their confidence about writing and drawing has been greatly boosted as some of them were whispering to each other — maybe in the future I can be a children’s book author and illustrator, too!
When asked by the kids how a book evolved from rough sketches to delicate illustrations, Jeff emphasized that satisfactory artworks definitely required constant and patient polishing and fine tuning. Then he led the group of passionate kids to create their own drawings.
At the end of the virtual meet, many kids proudly held up high their works to the screen for Jeff to see. Jeff was also moved by the big smiles and enthusiasm of these “little painters”.
After the virtual meet, Jeff emailed us the works that he created together with the kids as a souvenir. We truly believe that every child who has attended this virtual meet will remember this fruitful morning filled with inspirations and excitement. Hopefully, this experience as well as Jeff’s books will together become part of these children’s personal histories and continue to inspire them.
Thank you Jeff for sharing your inspirational stories and connecting with children in Shanghai!
Storyland 