At a recent assembly for third through fifth graders, Niwot Elementary School hosted New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Kazu Kibuishi. Known for his Amulet graphic novels and iconic cover designs for the 15th anniversary release of the Harry Potter series, Kibuishi’s literary contributions are widely recognized around the world, with over 7 million copies of his books in print and translations into 21 languages.
“The Amulet series is so wonderful because it introduces amazing characters and explores themes of wonder, friendship, and discovery while encouraging resilience and overcoming fear of the unknown,” shared Kelly Blackford, Library Media Tech at Niwot. “I think Kazu’s life history and career journey really send a powerful message of perseverance and courage that I hope will inspire our students to pursue their own dreams.”
The author’s visit provided a unique opportunity for students to interact with Kibuishi and learn about literature, writing, and graphic novels. He shared his inspiring journey as an author and illustrator and emphasized the importance of following your passions, staying dedicated to goals, facing adversity, and learning from mistakes.
During the assembly, Kibuishi wowed students with a live demonstration of his illustration process in Photoshop. The excitement peaked when he sketched several popular characters from his books. Kibuishi also took time to interact with his young readers by answering questions and sharing anecdotes about his literary adventures.
One of the highlights of the event was the unveiling of Kibuishi’s latest installment, “Amulet Book 9: Waverider.” Following the presentation, everyone in attendance eagerly lined up to have their personal copy signed by the author. Reece Nielsen, a third-grader and avid reader of the Amulet series, appreciates Kabuishi’s books because of their high level of suspense and the strategic cliffhangers in the storyline. Nielsen enjoyed the assembly and shared, “I really liked watching him draw the pictures. It was very interesting.”
Blackford collaborated with Boulder Bookstore to coordinate the author’s visit. Her decision to invite Kibuishi to present at Niwot was driven by her own children’s love for the Amulet series.“As a parent and educator, I was excited to see the kids expand their reading horizons into more complex, nuanced stories, but still with amazing messages for kids of all ages. I feel like opening one of the Amulet books is like opening an experience, and I shared my passion for these books with our students in the library.”
Niwot staff was thrilled to see the enthusiasm for reading generated by Kibuishi’s visit. The response to the event was so positive, that Blackford hopes to make it an annual tradition for the broader Niwot and St. Vrain communities.