Fifth and sixth grade students at Vernon School experienced the magic of storytelling firsthand during a virtual author visit with Peter Brown on Dec.4.

Mr. Brown, the #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of The Wild Robot series, brought his creative world directly into Vernon classrooms through an interactive online session. Students explored the journey behind his beloved books and gained insight into what it takes to bring stories and characters to life.

The accomplished author's credentials include a Caldecott Honor for “Creepy Carrots!” and numerous other prestigious accolades throughout his career, such as the New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book Award, the Horn Book Award, two E.B. White Read Aloud Awards and multiple starred reviews.

During the visit, Mr. Brown shared behind-the-scenes stories from his books and offered students a window into his creative process. One highlight came when he demonstrated his illustration techniques, teaching students how to draw some of his iconic characters as they followed along.

The engaging session sparked inspiration throughout the Vernon community. Many students left the experience energized to create their own stories and artwork, demonstrating the lasting impact of connecting young learners with accomplished authors and illustrators.

The virtual author visit reinforced Vernon’s commitment to fostering a love of reading and writing while providing students with meaningful connections to the books and authors they admire.

Date Added: 12/11/2025