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McCully draws patrons to Roe Jan Library

McCully draws patrons to Roe Jan Library
Children and adults alike interacted with award-winning author and illustrator Emily Arnold McCully at the Roe Jan Library in Copake on Saturday, Jan. 22, during a special story time that involved developing a story and drawing pictures.
Photo by Tia Maggio

COPAKE — Starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22, young readers were treated to a special story time at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library starring Caldecott Medal-winning author and illustrator Emily Arnold McCully.

Known for her award-winning children’s book, “Mirette on the High Wire,” McCully taught the young library patrons how illustrations tell a story, using an easel and the children’s input to bring a story a story to life before their very eyes.

Children’s Librarian Tia Maggio described how McCully inspired those in attendance to dig into their inner artists and storytellers and get creative.

“We did some drawings,” said Maggio, “and she asked the group to suggest more  details to ‘tell a story,’ and then she drew a gnarly man… the kids said it looked like a pirate… and that he needed a hat, which she added, then a parrot… then a ship… and an island with treasure, etc.”

Maggio said McCully also engaged the group’s imagination by reading from one of her newer picture books from the comfort of the library’s cozy children’s section.

Maggio added that the Saturday activity “was lovely; we had about 16 kids and 17 adults.”

McCully also showed some of her original art and galleys and spoke about the process of developing her art into a book

“There was a lot of interaction. It was great fun,” said Maggio.

— Whitney Joseph

Millerton News

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