On Monday, Becker K-5th grade students had a unique opportunity when award-winning Minnesota authors and illustrators, David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka, took time out of their busy schedules to visit the students at the PAC throughout the day. 

These visits were extra special because normally only a single author/illustrator makes a visit to a school, never two at the same time. However, LaRochelle and Wohnoutka have collaborated on a number of books the students enjoy, so a joint visit was arranged. 

The students were not disappointed. 

The students were entertained by some storytelling, audience participation, and illustrating demonstrations. Students even got a “sneak peek” of an upcoming title being released in the near future, with the help of a couple of teacher volunteers during each session. 

Students were informed by LaRochelle and Wohnoutka of what it is like to be an author and/or an illustrator, as both men have experience in both. 

Their presentations were engaging as they shared their experiences and lessons of persistence and practice to improve, even when receiving rejections from publishers. It was interesting to hear what inspires their ideas and creativity. 

They encouraged students who want to be authors and illustrators to always remember they will need to practice and revise their work many times to get it “just right”, as nothing is perfect the first time. 

A special thank you to the Central Minnesota Library Exchange for helping make this visit possible. 

To learn more about these talented authors/illustrators and their work, please visit: www.davidlarochelle.com and www.mikewohnoutka.com.