Author and illustrator, Jessica Hische, visited Swanson Elementary on Friday, December 7 to speak to second-grade students and read them her book, Tomorrow I'll Be Brave.

Hische had an interactive discussion with students about learning to be brave, highlighting her personal experience as a second-grader when she had to overcome her fear of failing. She shared her motivation for writing the book, which was to encourage her own daughter to try new things and be brave. Hische spoke about her experiences as a letterer (an artist specializing in drawing text) and demonstrated how she gives personality to each letter she draws. Following the presentation, she answered student questions and signed copies of her new picture book.

Her design work has led her to create for companies like Starbucks, Tiffany's, and The New York Times. She also showed students the birthday party invitation she created for Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday, as well as the United States postage stamp she designed.

This visit was sponsored by Elmbrook's community partner, Boswell Books. This school year, numerous award-winning authors are scheduled to visit the district as a continuation of our joint initiative to engage students in reading and writing. Click here to see more upcoming author visits.