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Local author visits Watson second-graders
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Austintown author and illustrator James Mallog showed a group of second-graders at Watson Elementary a sketch from his upcoming book "The Highway Hares" on Dec. 19.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Author and illustrator James Mallog (left) gave away a gift-wrapped print for the students to give to their parents or grandparents, which student Robert Christain (right) held up to show to his classmates.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .During James Mallog's visit to Watson Elementary on Dec. 19, he discussed the process he followed as he headed before publication, including making a "dummy" version of the book before final printing. Second-graders Robert Christian (left), Jacob Corll, Colin Moore, Tyrik Tucker, David Ashburn, and Dylan Morton showed off the draft and final version of Mallog's book "The Last Acorn."
By SARAH FOOR
Austintown author and illustrator James Mallog shared some of the secrets behind his artistic process with the second-grade students in Robin Krempasky’s classroom, including his granddaughter, Addie Mallog, on Dec. 19.
Mallog took the students through his journey from idea to a published book. Mallog said he first creates the story, then envisions the photos and begins a ‘dummy’ version of his book in rough black and white sketches, before moving on to the final story and illustrations.
“I would suggest the same process for anyone who wants to write a book. I think that anybody can write, as long as they bring passion to their idea,” the author said.
Although his process is usually steadfast, for his latest work, titled “Love From Afar,” Mallog found inspiration in a painting he made years before.
The painting shows a bear glancing over at a frilly porcelain doll. In Mallog’s nearly finished book inspired by the painting, Buster the bear falls in love with a doll and after being separated at a yard sale, the characters end up together once again.
During his Dec. 19 visit, Mallog read his book as Krempasky showed drafts of the author’s illustrations for the story.
Mallog offered each student a gift-wrapped print from the book to give to their parents and also a blank book so the second-graders could start their own stories.
Krempasky said Mallog’s visit was a useful lesson on storytelling.
“He showed the students what it is like to create a story and truly develop it from start to finish. I hope the students will take inspiration from Mr. Mallog as they start writing their own tales,” Krempasky said.