On Monday, November 10, Gaynor welcomed C.G. Esperanza, author and illustrator of picture books including Boogie Boogie Ya’ll, Fish Fry Friday, and Kicks in the Sky. Each year the Parents’ Association Book Fair Committee, chaired by Sam Regan and Katy Williamson, works to bring in authors for each of the Educational Divisions at Gaynor. Esperanza spoke to students at two assemblies and joined the Blue Cluster art class for a workshop on creating picture books.
The first assembly featured Esperanza reading aloud from his book Boogie Boogie Ya’ll for the Purple through Yellow Clusters, with some assistance from Purple Cluster teacher Ms. Chiappisi. Boogie Boogie Ya’ll is a lyrical book, and Ms. Chiappisi kept the rhythm of the lines by clapping the beat while Esperanza read. Once he had finished and everyone gave Ms. Chiappisi a big round of applause, Esperanza displayed some of the original artwork from the book with the help of two Red Cluster students. The audience ooh-ed and aah-ed as he explained how his artwork goes from paintings on wooden boards to illustrations in a book. Esperanza also took questions from the audience about his creative process, including how long it takes him to complete each book.
Silver through Blue Clusters were in the audience for the second assembly, and Esperanza read from Boogie Boogie Ya’ll again, this time with Green Cluster teacher Mr. Stackhouse. After that introduction, Esperanza told students about his history with art, and the journey he took to becoming an illustrator. He explained to the crowd that he had a teacher who once described picture books as “movies within a book,” and that he was so inspired by that statement he decided he wanted to make movies in a book too.
During the Q&A portion, students asked Esperanza where he finds his inspiration. He answered that he’s inspired by what he sees in his neighborhood of the Bronx, and encouraged students to “Make art inspired by what you see every day. You’re the expert of your experience and your culture, so when you make [art] people learn something. Everyone who’s like you says, ‘You know what, I can relate to that!’ And people who are not like you learn from [your art]. So I think that’s the best way to make art, to make it about you.”
Esperanza also spent time with Gaynor’s Blue Cluster students in art class with Art Specialist Anya Cropper. He tasked students with splitting into two groups to collaboratively create picture books. Each student was assigned one page of the book, and the group picked keywords provided by Esperanza to create their story. Once each group finished their story and gave their new picture book a cover, it was time to present to the class! Laughter erupted from everyone in the classroom as the presenters read, and the picture books are sure to be treasured by both the students and Ms. Cropper.
