Author Steven Kellogg Sparks Imagination at Sts. John & Paul

by Grace Pineda

(January 10, 2007) In an exclusive presentation to Saints John and Paul School on December 18, 2006, globally acclaimed author/illustrator Steven Kellogg captured the imaginations of students with what the author coins as “the magic of storytelling.”

Award-winning author/illustrator Steven Kellogg brings his famous storybook character, “Pinkerton,” to life for Sts. John & Paul fifth graders.

“Every single one of you is a story teller,” Mr. Kellogg told the Saints John and Paul children. “A story is a gift. If someone returns that gift, you begin to build bridges that bring people together from different groups, different tribes, even different countries.” With this mantra, he explained how a global chorus begins with just one voice. Every child in the room was riveted to his/her seat.

With enthusiasm worthy of a theatrical performance, Mr. Kellogg shared his visions for a few of the more than 120 published works he has produced over the past 40 years. He revealed the inspiration for his best known series about a Great Dane called “Pinkerton,” as he drew the familiar dog on an easel before the children. He brought The Island of Skog to life through a series of live illustrations, which he narrated page by page. Then, he treated the children to a slide show where they saw pictures of the real Pinkerton and the cat, Rose, who inspired a partnership of sorts, beginning with Mr. Kellogg’s A Rose of Pinkerton.

Mr. Kellogg encouraged the children to put feelings in their stories. “Art is the language of feeling,” he said. In his book Best Friends, which he presented in a slide show, the author and grandfather explained life lessons on topics that the book touches upon, such as friendship, jealousy and responsibility, while also addressing the time and commitment involved in writing and publishing a book. Best Friends took Mr. Kellogg 14 years to finalize. “I wanted to show my very best work,” he said.

The students of Saints John and Paul were completely familiar with the author’s work prior to his arrival, thanks to the faculty’s collaborative plan to enhance their students’ experiences. From art classes, to library to class room topics, Mr. Kellogg’s stories and illustrations were a part of the curriculum for a month in anticipation of his presentation.

Steven Kellogg is the award-winning illustrator of numerous picture books for children and is the reteller-illustrator of such classic tall tales as: Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, Johnny Appleseed, and Mike Fink. Mr. Kellogg was the 1989 recipient of the Regina Medal for his distinguished contribution to children’s literature. Most recently, he was awarded the prestigious 2006 Boston Globe Hornbook Award for illustration for If You Decide to Go to the Moon.

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