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Author Visit at Sherman Elementary
Sherman Elementary’s first and second graders had a special guest on Thursday.  Local Author Will Hillenbrand spoke to students about being an author and illustrator.  The Kentucky Book Festival School Days Program provided the author visit with the help of sponsors, the Kentucky Colonels and Kosair Charities FACE IT Movement.   Mr. Hillenbrand has created over seventy books and lives near Cincinnati. 
 
During his visit with students, he drew a character from his story, “Mighty Reader.”.  His sweet dog character came to life with a cape and mask.  Mr. Hillenbrand spoke while illustrating the process of creating illustrations and showed students the “behind the scenes” images of a work in progress.  “It took seven trial illustrations of one image to get it just right,” he shared about a different character, Big Bear.  

Students listened and interacted with the story, “Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep,” a book that Mr. Hillenbrand illustrated.  The rhyming fun of a sleepy bear that struggles to hear made the story a fun read-aloud.  As part of the experience, the Kentucky Book Festival School Days Program purchased a book for each student from Mr. Hillenbrand, to expand their home libraries.   Mr. Hillenbrand personally handed each student their copy of “First Star.”

Sherman Library Media Specialist, Stacey Welden applied for the grant for the program.  “We are always excited to provide our students’ experiences and are very thankful to Kentucky Book Festival School Days Program for choosing our school this year.” Mrs. Welden shared. We hope the experience today encourages our young writers and illustrators to continue working hard and following their dreams.

Mia Webster hugs her new book from Mr. Hillenbrand.



Mr. Hillenbrand discussed the process of illustrating a book.