For the 3rd year in a row, Gorham librarians have hosted an author visit for GMS and the three elementary schools. On Nov. 19 and 20 all Gorham students in grades K-8 had the opportunity to attend presentations by award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, Matt Tavares. Tavares has written and/ or illustrated 25 books for children. His most popular works include a variety of books centered around baseball such as “Growing Up Pedro” and his first picture book, “Zachary’s Ball.” His most recent book, and his first graphic novel, “Hoops” is on this year’s Maine Student Book Award list for grades 4-8.

In his presentations, Tavares shared his experience as a professional book creator including his own writing process of idea generation, research, drafting, illustrating, editing, and revising. Students received several tips and advice about ways to make their own writing and artwork stronger.

• Look for ideas from your life.
• Research helps make writing stronger.
• All authors get help from others.
• All writers and illustrators need to create multiple drafts-don’t get frustrated when changes need to be made to improve your work.
• Don’t be afraid to try something new.
• Many illustrations start with simple shapes.
• Read, write and draw a lot to get better.

The presentations ended with a live illustration demonstration with tips to make illustrations more lifelike and how to use simple shapes to create images.

This author visit has inspired students to read, write and draw. The library copies of “Hoops” have a reserve waiting list and his pic- ture books have flown off the library shelves.