Kindergarten through fifth grade students at Osborn School explored the art of storytelling during a special visit from author Grace Lin on April 29. The day featured interactive sessions that culminated with a drawing challenge.
During the presentations, kindergartners and first graders were introduced to the process of writing, illustrating and publishing a book before enjoying a read-aloud of “The Ugly Vegetables.” Second and third graders learned about Lin’s family, including her chickens, and discovered how everyday experiences can inspire meaningful stories. Fourth and fifth graders explored Chinese myths and legends and practiced drawing dragons.
“It was a wonderful day where all of the students were engaged and thrilled to have had such a talented and well-known author right here at Osborn,” librarian Cara Lipari said. “Grace is an author and illustrator, so that made her visit especially impactful – she not only could speak of her ideas for writing, but how her art is incorporated into it.”
Lin’s “A Big Mooncake for Little Star” has been a part of the kindergarten curriculum for several years. In preparation for her visit, students read books in the library and their classrooms and watched videos from her website to guide their own drawings. Ahead of the event, the students displayed their Grace Lin-inspired artwork throughout Osborn Hall. Some of the fourth graders created video book reviews to share with the author, while fifth graders watched Lin’s TED Talk, in which she discussed books as windows and mirrors.
“She explained the importance of reading books about people who are different from you to build empathy, as well as reading books that are about people similar to you, so students grow up knowing that they are not alone in the challenges they face,” Lipari said.