Fulmar Road’s first graders and kindergartners were excited to meet author and illustrator Mike Ciccotello. During his visit, the students learned valuable tips on how to create and draw their own characters. Surrounded by larger-than-life props of his black-and-white illustrations, Ciccotello shared several of his books, including a dynamic reading of his award-winning title “Beach Toys vs. School Supplies,” while also discussing his creative process.
One of the highlights of the experience was when Ciccotello shared an inspiring story about how his 8-year-old son contributed an idea for a book cover, which was later chosen by the publisher for one of his books.
“Kids have great ideas,” Ciccotello said. “You all have an imagination. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas.”
He encouraged the students to create characters from anything around them. To demonstrate, he brought out giant googly eyes and playfully attached them to various objects in the room, including a school chair, music stand and window. Ciccotello also introduced the students to shapes they can use to draw, including circles, squares, ovals, rectangles, lines, arcs, zigzags and more. Then he demonstrated how to draw one of the characters from “Beach Toys vs. School Supplies,” a bottle of glue named “Glue.” Step by step, Ciccotello guided the students as they followed along, drawing their own versions of the character.
Throughout the session, Ciccotello encouraged the students to make their drawings unique and provided them with insight into how to alter a character’s appearance based on small changes, like where the mouth is placed. He ended the session with the special mantra, “I am unique, and so is my art,” which the students eagerly repeated after him.
The students left the session feeling inspired and excited to create their own characters, with Ciccotello’s tips and encouragement fresh in their minds.
