Author and illustrator Lita Judge visited three of Newtown’s elementary schools between Monday, May 11, and Thursday, May 14, sharing stories about her life, her pets, and from her books.

Her first visit was to Middle Gate Elementary School on Monday, May 11.

Middle Gate students had read Ms Judge’s book Pennies for Elephants as the school’s One School One Read book. Between April 6 and April 10, all students, staff, and school community members were encouraged to read the book, and different activities were held throughout the week to celebrate the reading effort.

Ms Judge shared a presentation at each school that offered glimpses into her childhood, like a drawing she made of herself and a cat as a child, a picture of herself as a child with an owl, and a photo of Ms Judge as a child with her grandfather. Ms Judge’s grandparents were biologists who studied birds, and Ms Judge grew up on an island in Alaska. She now lives in New Hampshire.

“I hope the things I have to say today will maybe give you some help with your writing and drawing,” Ms Judge told the Middle Gate students in the school’s gymnasium on May 11.

During her presentations at each school Ms Judge also shared how participating with a dinosaur dig with the Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology when she was 15 helped her realize her love of illustrating, how she finds inspiration from her pets, and she read from her most recent book Good Morning to Me!, which was inspired by her pets.

At Head O’ Meadow on Tuesday, May 12, students gathered around Ms Judge in the school’s library to hear her presentation. It was the second day of the school’s  Literacy Week, which included a number of reading activities along with Ms Judge’s visit.

Students and staff, including Principal Christopher Moretti, wore handmade red hats on Thursday, May 14, in honor of Ms Judge’s visit. The hats were a nod to Ms Judge’s book Red Hat. Student artwork, depicting different animals wearing red hats, also decorated the school’s multipurpose room, where Ms Judge shared her presentation.