Christopher Myers
The Family Academy
Harlem, New York
June 11-15, 2001

Christopher Myers' much anticipated residency at The Family Academy began on Monday, June 11. He spent the week working with 300 kindergarten through second-grade students, all of whom received copies of his book Wings, donated by Scholastic. The school library was also provided with library copies of Black Cat and Harlem.

The children's author/illustrator was greeted by awed K-2 students who, shocked at the sight of him, stared with jaws dropped at his 6'6" frame. Once their star-struck behavior subsided, they huddled around him, holding up their books, asking his height (many exclaiming that Chris is bigger than their fathers.). Other questions with which Chris was bombarded on his first day included, "Do you really have a black cat?" and, "What's his name?" (Chris replied that his cat's name was Tyreek).

The Family Academy staff took Chris on a tour of the primary school. When Chris was spotted by one child, news of his presence spread throughout K-2 classes; numerous students in the hall spotted him and reported to others, "He's here!" After the tour, Chris met with student "authors" who had composed their own journals of writing and illustrations, looking forward to sharing their work with him. His warm and friendly rapport with students urged them to be forward in asking their questions. Some questions asked by the children included, "How do you know what to write about?" or "Do you like to write or draw better?"

Chris was able to meet with each class (K-2 special education, art studio and regular classes) three times. This way, he was able to build on the first two meetings, during which they read and discussed Chris' books. Then, by the third class, he was able to conduct a writing workshop, based on what they had learned in the first two meetings.

All 300 students received copies of Chris' new book, Wings, several weeks ahead of time as part of their preparation for his residency. At first shy of their guest author, students quickly warmed up to him, anxious to have him read to them, which he did. He then initiated a writing lesson; kindergartners, for example, were urged to compose a story about their class pet, Puffy the rabbit. When he asked questions such as, "What does Puffy like to eat?" or "What makes Puffy happy?" the class was well on its way to a story, describing a typical day for Puffy. Chris then illustrated the story using a large easel, demonstrating "live" how picture books are born.

On Wednesday, Family Academy staff organized a meeting with parents, during which a lively discussion of the neighborhood took place. Because Chris and his family once lived in Harlem, he was able to relate to their stories and anecdotes. Chris remarked how, after travelling to areas as remote as Nebraska, he realized how much more culturally sophisticated New York kids are, because they are surrounded by so much diversity. He admitted that he felt a strong need to educate the students to know that art could become a part of their lives. He stressed that it is important for them to know that there are opportunities as writers or artists available for them. Chris added that urban life inspires him. This is one of the reasons he wrote Black Cat. He wanted to capture New York City neighborhoods through the eyes of a cat roaming the streets, seeing everything. For this book, Chris took 700 photographs and chose 50 which best represent the neighborhood.

A K-2 art studio was lucky enough to have Chris Myers' creativity in their class that week. During the first session, students took Polaroid pictures of their body parts and each other. In the next class, they mounted them and painted on and all around them. Many students came up with very original and beautiful ideas, swirling different colors, creating new colors, painting strict borders or carelessly all over their faces. Eric, a fifth grade student, was so enthralled by Chris Myers' presence that he stayed behind from a class trip to be Chris' personal assistant in the art classes.

On Thursday, Family Academy librarians escorted Chris to yet another kindergarten classroom. The children were restless and competed for his attention. Every few minutes, one would ask, "Mr. Christopher Myers look at me!" They formed a circle on the floor, sat down, and Chris sat in the middle. Students were full of questions about his hobbies and animal preferences. In discussing Black Cat, everyone's favorite book of Chris', students often recited lines from memory!

After reading the story, Chris spoke about the advantages of being a writer. He stressed the importance of reality and experience, which he addresses in Black Cat. Concrete objects, images, and architecture, such as apartment buildings, schools and playgrounds, play a significant role in the story. Chris explained how paintings and photographs further enhance his stories. Each image relates to a particular place in Harlem. Some of the students easily recognized certain stories. They made the connection among these images and their own neighborhoods. Moreover, he spoke about tools of story writing. He underlined the importance of characters and a problem that constructs a story. He called this concept "book ideas."

At the conclusion of the workshop, Chris gave the students an assignment, which consisted of writing a story. He asked the students to employ story-writing tools and encouraged them to draw their characters. Mr. Myers made a special arrangement in which the stories, along with the paintings, would be shipped to him as soon as the students completed their assignments. As he stood up to leave the classroom, the children jumped from the floor to hug him and weighed him down so it was difficult for him to walk!

Chris Myers' residency ended on Friday. The day began with a second grade class and moved on to a small group of special education students, with whom Chris formed a "writers circle." Teachers remarked that there were several writers in this group, so Chris asked them to give him book ideas! They shouted out their favorites such as, "Three Little Pigs," and "Goldilocks." So, Chris began asking questions about their favorite animals, some possible situations, names and places. Eventually, they created their very own story from their brainstorming.

On Friday, Chris said his good-byes and left behind many teary-eyed children. The librarians remarked on how each child who had the opportunity to meet Chris has been positively affected and will know that great things lie ahead for them as well, as Chris spent the week illustrating for them.