Award-Winning Author and Illustrator Vashti Harrison Visits Durhamville Elementary

Students at Durhamville Elementary recently had the exciting opportunity to meet award-winning author and illustrator Vashti Harrison. Harrison is an American writer, illustrator, and filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York. Her acclaimed book Big received the 2024 Randolph Caldecott Medal, and much of her creative work is inspired by Caribbean heritage and folklore.

During her visit, Harrison spoke with students about the importance of creativity, imagination, and storytelling. She shared how she approaches writing and illustrating her books by thinking of the process like creating a movie — from casting characters to designing costumes, settings, and scenes. Students learned how authors and illustrators combine artistic expression with critical thinking to bring stories to life.

One of the highlights of the visit was watching Harrison demonstrate her illustration process in real time. She guided students step-by-step as she created a ballerina illustration from start to finish, explaining each stage of her artistic process along the way. Students were highly engaged throughout the presentation, asking thoughtful questions and participating in discussions about art, storytelling, and creativity.

This inspiring experience encouraged students to explore their own creativity while gaining a deeper understanding of the many skills involved in writing and illustrating children’s literature.