Marlton School Students Surprised with a Special Visit from The Halloween Kid Author and Illustrator, Rhode Montijo and Drew Daywalt, Author of The Day the Crayons Quit

Students enjoyed an inspirational visit from author and illustrator Rhode Montijo, who brought storytelling to life with a behind-the-scenes presentation on his journey to becoming a children’s book author and illustrator. Author of beloved books such as The Halloween Kid and the Skeletown series, Rhode shared with Marlton students how his Mexican background influenced his creative process as both an author and illustrator. His illustrations, which also take heavy inspiration from Mexican folk art styles, are proof that we can take inspiration from anywhere, including our upbringing.

“Hearing about how someone who once sat in classrooms just like theirs grew up to create books and characters loved by so many was both inspiring and empowering. He is such a wonderful role model for our students, reminding them that their dreams, ideas, and creativity can lead them to amazing places,” said Stephanie Johnson, Marlton Community School Coordinator and UTLA Chapter Chair.

Pre-K through 5th grade students gathered the following week again for another author visit. This time, from Drew Daywalt, author of The Day the Crayons… series, who gave students a live reading of his latest release, Forty the Fortune Teller. Students roared with laughter as Drew brought out a comically large paper fortune teller for them to use. Similar to Rhode, Drew talked about his journey to becoming an award winning author and filmmaker sharing how there are no limits for the human imagination and how his childhood also played a role in his journey to becoming a story teller.

These visits were made possible thanks to Gordon Philanthropies’ partnership with Readers and Writers Rock, a nonprofit dedicated to, “bringing multicultural author visits to children at underserved schools.” As part of Gordon Philanthropies’ mission to ensuring free access to quality literacy resources, Marlton Students also received a copy of Rhode Montijo’s, Sí. ¡No!  and Drew Daywalt’s Forty the Fortune Teller.