Children’s Author/Illustrator Visits Elementary School

WILDWOOD—On Oct. 24, children’s author and illustrator, David Biedrzycki, visited Glenwood Avenue Elementary School to present his illustration and process of making books to the students.
Students ranging from kindergarten to 5th grade sat down in the auditorium as Biedrzycki shared his stories and described his drawing process. He displayed to the students how he chooses the colors, shapes and sizes of the characters in his books.
During his presentation to the 1st grade, the students assisted in an illustration of a beetle. The body, legs and eyes of the beetle were drawn as the children chose to make him yellow and call him Sonny. Biedrzycki then went on to create a friend for Sonny, a red Beetle named Scarlet as well as a baby orange beetle.
As the presentation continued, the author gave a reading of two of his books, “Dory Story” and an exclusive reading of “Breaking News: Bear Alert,” a book that tells the story of two bears who leave their home in the woods for an adventure in the big city. The book will be released sometime within the next year.
After graduating from Kutztown University and working in the world of public relations and marketing, Biedrzycki decided that he would start writing and illustrating children’s books. “After a friend of mine asked me to do some illustrations for his book I thought this was something I could do as well,” said Biedrzycki. “Then I was asked to start touring and doing these presentations at schools, it was just an opportunity that I couldn’t pass on.”
In addition to touring schools around the country, Biedrzycki speaks to children in many different countries such as Japan and India.
John Kummings, the principal of Glenwood Avenue Elementary School, said that bringing in authors and other guests to the school is good for everyone.
“We try to bring in authors and theater productions, we really try to bring a good sense of literature and culture to the students in Wildwood.”
Biedrzycki travels to over 70 schools a year and has published a total of 23 books.