Author/Illustrator Chris Soentpiet made it a special day at Greenfield Elementary - and throughout Duval County's public elementary schools - when he visited to share his love of children’s books with the students and staff.
Soentpiet has illustrated more than 15 children's books, including the famous
Silver Packages. During his presentations, he talked about his life and how he followed his dream to become a children’s book author and illustrator.
The audience viewed a collection of illustrations from his books, and Soentpiet used several students from the audience as models to show the process of creating an illustration. He then autographed the sketches and gave them to the students.
Soentpiet explained that illustrating a book takes a great deal of research by using sources from the library or even visiting a place to convey accurate details of a book's setting. He generously gave several signed prints of his illustrations to the library.
When asked what they learned in the presentation, several first graders said in unison, "FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!"
In addition to Greenfield Elementary, Soentpiet visited the following elementary schools during his time in Jacksonville: Sabal Palm, Jacksonville Heights, Fort Caroline, Enterprise Learning Academy, Alimacani, Abess Park, Arlington, Ortega, Gregory Drive, Windy Hill, Greenland Pines and Crown Point.
Sheridan Brown, the principal at Enterprise Learning Academy and an organizer of the author's visit, collected quotes from principals who hosted Soentpiet, and here's what they had to say:
"Chris Soentpiet was FABULOUS and very INSPIRING!"
Chiquita M. Rivers, principal, Greenland Pines Elementary
"Chris Soentpiet's message continues to sustain and motivate our teachers and students to pull from deep within ourselves to become better writers and artists."
Sheridan Brown, principal, Enterprise Learning Academy
"Chris Soentpiet's message about perseverance was inspiring and motivational to students, parents and teachers alike."
Stephanie Shepard, principal, Ortega Elementary
"Our teachers and students were held spellbound by Chris Soentpiet's real life presentation of his writing and artistry. His message to students that "dreams can come true" was inspiring and we wish he could have remained with us longer!"
Kathy Stalls, principal, Alimacani Elementary School
"The students and staff thoroughly enjoyed his program and we had over 100 in attendance on Friday evening! We weren’t sure what kind of response we'd have since it was Friday, a holiday weekend and we weren’t able to provide dinner because of Chris's schedule, but we were very happy with the turnout."
Kathy Cooley, principal, Crown Point Elementary
"Chris Soentpiet was so inspiring and entertaining he left my children and parents wanting more!"
Tammy H. Boyd, principal, Fort Caroline Elementary
"Chris Soentpiet was very engaging in his presentation! Demonstrating how he started with photographs, then onto his sketching kept the students' attention through the entire assembly."
Paula Smith, principal, Arlington Elementary
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