Daniel Warren Elementary students were in for a treat on April 20 when one of their favorite authors came to visit. Laurie Keller, children’s book author and illustrator of such fun, silly gems as “Grandpa Gazillion’s Number Yard” and “Open Wide”, shared her background and taught the kids some illustration techniques.

By Janice Llanes Fabry

Daniel Warren Elementary students were in for a treat on April 20 when one of their favorite authors came to visit. Laurie Keller, children’s book author and illustrator of such fun, silly gems as “Grandpa Gazillion’s Number Yard” and “Open Wide”, shared her background and taught the kids some illustration techniques.

It was her “Scrambled States of America” — about our nation going haywire after Virginia and Idaho decide to swap spots — that got this Hallmark cards illustrator-turned-author on the map. The children were especially excited about meeting the creator behind the beloved and whimsical “Arnie the Doughnut.”

Librarian Leigh Ann Kowalchick-Porphy organized the PTSA school-wide event by reaching out to the author through Rye Neck parent Kerri Kunkle. “I’ve been reading Ms. Keller’s books since my own children were little,” said the librarian. “Her characters really resonate with the kids.”

Along with Daniel Warren teachers, Kowalchick-Porphy prepared kindergarteners, first and second graders by not only reading Keller’s books, but through hands-on activities and a closer look at her illustrations, surprising characters, and the language she uses.

The children welcomed Keller with colorfully drawn posters, knew Arnie has exactly 135 sprinkles, and were familiar with his “do-nut eat me” joke. With clipboards, paper, and pencils in hand, they learned how to draw Arnie’s six different expressions: happy, scared, sick, angry, sneaky, and shocked, as when he discovered humans eat doughnuts.

In a Q&A, when students asked Keller how she came up with her stories, she replied, “Sometimes they pop into my head. Sometimes I hear something funny. I always keep a little notepad to jot down my ideas, so I don’t forget.”

The inspiration for her popular protagonist with the hole in the middle came at a Krispy Kreme Doughnut Shop in New York City. “I saw them baking their doughnuts and they looked like they were coming alive,” she explained.

Her best advice for the aspiring young writers in the room was “practice, practice, practice.” She likened writing to “playing with words and getting them into the right places to tell your stories.” Keller also had lunch with 26 lucky raffle winners.

“The depth and breadth of an enriching experience like this reaches beyond just reading,” Kowalchick-Porphy noted. “The kids are able to make connections to themselves as writers, learners, and thinkers.