Illustrator From Popular 'Biscuit' Series Visits West Patent

Students at West Patent Elementary School had the chance to see one of the most beloved characters in the early readers genre sketched before their eyes Wednesday morning when Pat Schories, illustrator of the popular Biscuit series visited their school.

Kindergarten and first graders were treated to her visit courtesy of the West Patent Elementary School Association's enrichment committee.

"We try to plan programs that add value and enhance their classroom studies," said Dara Rossi, the association's enrichment coordinator. "Author visits like this really bring the curriculum to life."

About 50 children in first grade met Schories first, followed by a group of kindergarteners similar in size. One of the best features of West Patent is the small class sizes, said Rossi, and visits like this become intimate.

Schories regaled the students with tales of her home art studio, her drawing process—including how a sketch becomes a full-color illustration—and her own two dogs, Speed and Spike, who serve as models for Biscuit, she said.

Schories showed the children her drawings, and narrated a few selections from her library of books. The students had time to ask her questions—but most of them just commented on how talented Schories appeared to them.

"When I saw your drawings, I thought they couldn't have been created by someone, they were so good," said Jacob Kornreich. "But you did, and they are really good."

Check out our photo gallery of the visit.

For more information on WPESA,

Thanks for reading. Like Patch? You can "like" us on Facebook here and follow us on Twitter  here.