On May 20, the Ada Schools hosted author-illustrator David Biedrzycki for three high-energy presentations to elementary students. Biedrzycki–who calls himself an “anthorator”--explained how he develops a book, answered student questions, and showed how he uses digital illustration tools. 

Using the 2014 book ​​Breaking News: Bear Alert as an example, Biedrzycki showed the students how he develops the visuals of a book, including sketches, and how it snowballs into a bigger and more dramatic story. He engaged everyone in the room, asking questions and cuing in his audience when it was time to holler, “Aaaaaaah!” His slides even included school librarian Chanda Smith.

Biedrzycki revealed how he creates illustrations with a digital drawing tablet, creating shapes, filing them in with color, and adding shadows and highlights. He drew a whole beetle family of different colors and sizes, asking questions and getting input from the audience.

Smith notes, “We were originally supposed to have David visit in 2020 and were thrilled to finally have him here in 2022!  To be able to listen to and interact with an author whose books we have been studying for months–it was a joy to see the looks on the student's faces as those stories came to life in a new and exciting way!  I'm proud to be able to offer this experience for our students and look forward to planning more visits in the future.”

Learn more at www.davidbiedrzycki.com