The promise of Spring always ushers in fresh hopes and new dreams. Neverwas this more manifest than with children’s book author and illustrator PeterReynolds, who came to Nantucket as part of the Nantucket Book Foundation’sVisiting Authors in Schools program. Peter is the best-selling author of over50 books; a storyteller and illustrator who brings his passionate belief thatwithin every child lies a creative spark, that there is magic to be found inour every day, that a single dot, a crooked line, or that small word ofencouragement can unlock a lifetime of creative courage.
Peter spoke to the children about his early days creating image tostory, beginning with how he started life—with his identical twin brother,Paul, who today runs their media company, FableVision and their nonprofit, TheReynolds Center for Teaching, Learning and Creativity. These twin brothers area powerhouse of shared passion and belief in the power of words and image toshape and change lives; a mission they felt aligned with the values of ourNantucket Book Foundation.
This Visiting Author program reached our island’s Elementary andIntermediate School children; the continued push that the Nantucket BookFoundation is reaching for to create connections for every student fromElementary through High School. Our program always begins with the hopes of oureducators: our librarians and teachers who understand the authors that wouldmake a difference to their students. The Foundation’s work is to make theirdreams come true.
Peter and Paul’s visit elicited glowing responses from students andeducators alike. The Reynoldsbrothers' visit inspired our students to believe in themselves as readers,writers, and creators. That it’s okay to start small, take risks, and let ourcreativity shine."
~ Kameron Dew, NESLibrarian.
From our children: “He makes books that make me feel happyinside!”…
“Peter Reynolds taught me that my ideas matter.”…
“We are all artists and authors!”…
“His visit made me want to write and illustrate my own book.”
In a moment, forever memorable, standing in the gymnasium full of over400 excited, eager Elementary students, Peter leaned down and pointed to onechild, then another child, saying, “You’re getting a book, and you’re getting a book…” and then in an Oprah-style sweep of his arms across thefield of students, he shouted out with joy, “ Everyone here is getting abook!” Scholastic Publishing, at thebehest of Peter and Paul Reynolds and their conviction that our community wasdeserving of help, donated 450 books to our children. A singular, spectaculargift to our school and to the Nantucket Book Foundation.
With the older children, Peter’s message deepened. “We tell students:use your creativity in positive and purposeful ways to make the world a betterplace. “With emphasis, he added:
“Your teachers want you to be great humans. We need that more thanever.”
NIS Librarian Kara Felegian explained: "Peter was theabsolute perfect author to engage and excite students about reading,creating, and being brave to share their own ideas. He excited students fromkindergarten to 5th grade about the love of learning! He took the time topersonally engage and connect with each individual child. The joy it broughtthem was unparalleled."
The thoughts all of us were left with was the inspiring message andreminder:
“Create bravely. Make the world a better place.”
“Dream Big. Have the courage to persist.”
The Visiting Author Program was created by NBF Co-founder Mary Haft.Special thanks for realizing this program each year go to Mary, to NantucketBook Partners for selling books, and to all of our teachers and librarians,especially Board members Rebecca Hickman and Jill Surprenant. The VisitingAuthor Program is supported throughout the year in part by grants from theCommunity Foundation for Nantucket’s Nantucket Fund, The Nantucket Golf ClubFoundation, and the Nantucket Cultural Council.
Thank you to Charity Grace Photography for capturing this special visitand for the images in this email.
