Hawley Elementary School students met author and illustrator Deborah Freedman when she visited the school on May 19.

Hawley Library/Media Specialist Erika Carlson arranged the visit and introduced Freedman, a Connecticut resident, to a group of students in the school’s multi-purpose room.

“We are so excited to welcome Ms Freedman to Hawley School,” said Carlson.

Freedman gave a number of presentations during the day.

Noting the students in the room were wearing a lot of blue, as inspired by one of her books, Freedman greeted the students and then began her presentation, which shared information about her childhood, how she became an author and illustrator, and her inspirations and creative process.

While many call Freedman an author and illustrator, she said she prefers to think of herself as a writer who writes with both words and pictures.

“There are so many different kinds of writing you can do ... And there are so many ways you can use your imagination,” Freedman told the excited students.

More information about Freedman and her books is available on her website deborahfreedman.net.

Education Editor Eliza Hallabeck can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.