Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw is the author and illustrator of Like You, Like Me (Jan 16, 2024, a modern companion to Same, Same but Different); Papa Brings Me the World; Luna & Me: The True Story of a Girl Who Lived in a Tree to Save a Forest; My Travelin’ Eye; and Same, Same but Different, for which she won the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award and the South Asia Book Award.

A graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute and The Illustration Academy, Jenny lives with her family on their homestead in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. Her books are woven with themes of curiosity and connection, and are inspired by her travels, life experiences, and love of Nature. She homeschools with her son, raises Nigerian Dwarf goats, and writes and paints in a little studio her family made with their own hands – and lots of mud.

School Visit Presentations (30-45min in length)

How to Feed an Idea …

Audience: Grades: PK—2, 30-45min in length

After a read aloud from one of her books, Jenny Sue shares where the ideas for her books come from. With the help of students, Jenny Sue uses stick puppets of her family’s farm animals to playfully demonstrate ways to nourish story ideas by feeding them attention, curiosity, imagination, adventure – and an occasional banana peel. Students will see physical examples from Jenny Sue’s book process. Presentation includes a drawing demo with interactive idea-play and Q&A. Students will leave imagining new ways they can feed their own ideas and grow them into stories. Teachers will receive a digital poster of “How to Feed an Idea” to print for their classroom and students.

A Book-Maker’s Journey …

Audience: Grades: 3-8, 45min in length

Jenny Sue shares about her creative journey beginning as a child with reading challenges, to studying art and traveling, to following her dream of becoming an author and illustrator. Together, Jenny Sue and your students will create a “Book-Maker’s” map, with unique places to describe the steps of the book-making process. As each step is added to the map, Jenny Sue will share a physical example of the process from one of her books. In the end, a dotted line will be drawn, revealing an organic path filled with meandering adventure. Students will leave with a fresh perspective – and new ideas – on how to bring their stories –and dreams– to life! Presentation may include an interactive drawing/ideation demo if time allows. Q&A will happen during and at the end of the presentation. Teachers will receive a digital “Book-Maker’s Journey” map to print for their classroom and students.

Testimonials

“Your engagement with students was lovely; it was great when you shared your challenges with reading as a child, because many students also struggle with reading and need real life adult examples of that. The class you taught on your art making techniques was incredible! Students learned so much- and so did I! It was great to see their creations after your demonstration, and many students used those techniques in later art projects.” – Tess Yinger, Redwood Coast Montessori

“We had a fantastic virtual visit with author Jenny Sue Kostecki Shaw yesterday that included: story time, Q&A, a look at creating illustrations through collage, and a bit about the writing process. There are a lot of excited story writers running around today!” – Kirk Leichner, Librarian at FUKUOKA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, Japan

“It was so wonderful to witness all of your care and enthusiasm. Your presentation reflected a lot of preparation, which made the viewing experience fun and informative! I loved how naturally and easily you communicated with the students and welcomed them into your beautiful and creative world! We enjoyed every minute of our time with you!” – Laura Neutra, Rio Grande School Librarian

“I attended Jenny Sue’s presentation for third and fourth graders and was delighted by how engaging it was! Jenny used her experience as a traveler, writer, storyteller, and parent to show the kids how everyone can take their experiences and interests and turn them into stories. It was an interactive journey through the creative process and encouraged everyone to follow their inspiration. As she shared, hands would pop up all over the room. Jenny’s stories inspired the kids to think about their unique lives and celebrate these attributes and interests. What a gift! ” – Tracy Cates, parent, Rio Grande School, NM

“As a guest at our school, she engaged our children in a world of creativity in helping them bring their thoughts and dreams alive.  She immediately connected to our children and made each child feel unique in what they offer to art and storytelling.” – Renee Franks, Spring Lake Magnet Center, Omaha, NE

Website

Availability and Honorariums