Illustrator Draws Dinosaurs

And

A Crowd’s Attention

By Kendra Bobowick

Children crowded local illustrator Bruce Degen on November 6. The Newtown resident was invited to visit his hometown library in part to celebrate the release about the latest Magic School Bus offering, The Magic School Bus and The Climate Challenge.

Slipping his gaze across the many raised hands, he looked out over C.H. Booth Library’s crowded meeting room as parents and children posed their questions: How had he learned to draw so well? How would he encourage young artists? Where did he get his start?

From within his friendly narrative came answers. A teacher had sent him to stand at the back of his classroom, where he would draw in the blackboard. Images appeared where paper hung on the wall, and soon he was also imagining characters, such as a dog that liked to draw. He talked about Brooklyn, N.Y., strict schools, and classroom rules. “We had to practice sitting with our hands folded,” he said.

Stepping away from the classroom he remembered, and thinking about the children in the library, he said, “Everyone who likes to draw should be encouraged to draw.”

Noting his own inspiration, he explained the museum trips where galleries, sculptures, and the flood of artwork made its impressions. To the parents, he suggested enrichment. “Your kid will tell you how far he wants to go,” he said.

Arnold is the name of his favorite character. “He, like me, would rather stay home and draw. Arnold would rather read the book or draw the pictures than actually go out and do … adventure, that’s not me.”

Next, Mr Degen indulged in make-believe. He drew a Tricerra-High Tops, then asked his audience, “Can you make up a dinosaur name?”

They asked for Broccolisaurus, Applesaurus, Flowersaurus, and computersaurus. Flipping pages propped on his easel, he found a fresh sheet: “Is that Laptopasaurus or Desktopasuarus?” he asked.

He stood, permanent marker in hand, and put their imaginations down as caricatures on paper. As families later stood in line during a book-signing, Bruce Degen met father and son Bruce and Deagan Granville. Their mother Maura introduced the rest of their family, brother and sisters Collin, Kayleigh, and Lauren.

Bruce Degen has written and illustrated numerous award-winning books for children, among them Shirley’s Wonderful Baby, Daddy Is a Doodlebug, and Jamberry. He has illustrated the highly acclaimed The Magic School Bus series by Joanna Cole, the Jesse Bear books by Nancy White Carlstrom, and Jane Yolen’s Commander Toad series.