Writer Challenges Local Students to Be Authors NowWriter Challenges Local Students to Be Authors Now

4/20/14 - Students at a local school recently received a challenge from a visiting writer. Author and illustrator Aaron Zenz recently challenged students at St. Mary Catholic School in Pinckney that if they write or illustrate a book one day, they should track him down and will sit on the floor and listen while they read their book to him. The students, who were sitting on the floor waiting to hear Zenz read one of his books to them, laughed. But school officials hope the message got through that if their dream is to one day make a book, that dream can come true. Zenz has written and illustrated children's books like “The Hiccupotomus,” “Chuckling Ducklings,” and “The Chimpansneeze.” He spoke at St. Mary's in preparation of a writer's fair the school is hosting in May. Zenz presented three, one-hour-long workshops to the students, according to their grade level. He discussed the process involved in writing, illustrating, and printing a book. Principal Veronica Kinsey said Zenz was very funny, especially with the younger kids, who were glued to everything he was saying. Zenz shared some tricks of his trade, like drawing a “thumbnail” sketch to get started, and not being afraid to be messy in the early stages of idea development. Then he told the students that if they know how to draw circles, use colored pencils and how to write, they already know everything there is about being an author and illustrator. He said it was one of the few jobs kids don't have to wait to learn about and practice. (JK)