ERIC VELASQUEZ
Mosholu-Montefiore Community Center
March 24, April 14, April 21, April 28, and May 5, 2004

photo credit: Sherrie Y. Young

Imagine being six, seven or eight-years old and seeing a record album or a record player for the first time. Eric Velasquez, the young people's author and illustrator of Grandma's Records, showcased a record album and played the song "In My Old San Juan," which is featured in his book, for novice students at Mosholu-Montefiore Community Center.

Mr. Velasquez visited the Center, located in the northeast section of the Bronx, every Wednesday for five weeks to meet with youngsters attending the site's after-school program. During his residency, Mr. Velasquez met twice with about 40 kindergartners and first graders, and once with 10 second graders.

Mr. Velasquez read Grandma's Records to the groups and showed preliminary sketches of the illustrations that were used in the book. The young readers asked questions about the people in the drawings and commented on what drawings they liked the best. Some of the children thought they were photographs and not drawings. When Mr. Velasquez met again with the kindergartners and the first-graders, they were given booklets with blank sheets

photo credit: Sherrie Y. Young

and an art lesson on how to draw a face. He spent a few minutes with each participant commenting on their work. One young student did not want assistance from Mr. Velasquez until he had completed his illustration and story. A few of the youngsters decided on their own to title their drawings and write about them.

The two groups of second-graders met with Mr. Velasquez once, but he had time to read to them, display illustrations from his portfolio, and have them draw and write stories. As he went around the room to comment on their illustrations and stories, they would ask him, "Is your grandmother alive?" "Do you have any children?" "Why you like my drawing?"

If time permitted, Mr. Velasquez made sketches of some of the readers' faces. All of the readers received a signed copy of Grandma's Records to keep.

Eric Velasquez
SCAN LaGuardia
May 11 - May 14, 2004

Readers ranging from eight to 18-years old who attend SCAN LaGuradia's after-school program met with Eric Velasquez during his week-long visit to the settlement house. The site, located in East Harlem, hosts numerous programs that incorporate reading and writing for the African-American and Latino youth that they serve.

Mr. Velasquez tailored his visit to meet the needs of each group; however, with each group he was unyielding in his message that reading is the key that will unlock many doors in life.

Twenty pre-teens and teenage boys on the basketball team were presented with Champion: The Story of Muhammad Ali, a book illustrated by Mr. Velasquez. The participants learned about Muhammad Ali's life as Mr. Velasquez explained his process for illustrating and working with the author, James Haskins.

The basketball coach contributed to the conversation based on his memory of Ali's boxing matches. The energetic ball players listened as Mr. Velasquez and their coach demonstrated jabs and punches. In addition, the basketball team learned how Ali overcame obstacles in his life. They also discussed how Ali's pride led him to fight a younger and stronger Larry Holmes, making him susceptible to Parkinson's disease.

The teens who met with Mr. Velasquez discussed their ambitions as well as what they were doing to achieve them. In turn, Mr. Velasquez discussed his background. He said he always wanted to be an illustrator, but it wasn't until he was an adult that he decided to write as well.

Four young ladies ranging from nine to 12-years old interviewed Mr. Velasquez for the SCAN's newsletter. They asked the following questions: "Why do you like to read and draw?" "What's your favorite color?", and "What are your beliefs?"

During the week, about 40 pre-teens had the opportunity to illustrate and write with Mr. Velasquez. Many students wanted to know if Mr. Velasquez could draw anything. His response was, "Yes, because I know how to focus and pay close attention to details, the two skills you need to illustrate and write."

At the public event, pre-teen girls presented their illustrations and read their work before a small audience of 15 of their peers and teachers.

Mr. Velasquez and a few of the coordinators had a "wrap up" session to discuss his visit. The coordinators received many accolades from Mr. Velasquez. Mr. Velasquez said that he was glad to be at SCAN LaGuardia because he grew up within the area.

Following the event, all participants who met with Mr. Velasquez during the week received a signed copy of Grandma's Records or Champion: The Story of Muhammad to keep.