south Hillsborough Library
south Hillsborough Library
It was just too good to be true--Judd Winick returned to South for the THIRD time in conjunction with the release of his fourth book in the Hilo series--Waking the Monsters. In fact, South School was the first stop on Mr. Winick’s national tour, and all South students listened eagerly to his new presentation.
Mr. Winick began by taking students back to his first grade year where his teacher on Long Island asked each member of the class to color in a pre-printed tree. Now Judd Winick didn’t really like the assignment. In fact, he didn’t like coloring in any drawings created by others. Although he followed his teacher’s directions, he wanted to create his own unique drawing. When his first grade teacher asked him to color in a pre-printed pumpkin for Halloween, he was ready. He’d already done his thinking and had a proposal for his teacher. Specifically, he asked to draw Frankenstein. His teacher granted his wish, and Judd Winick was on his way to spending his life making up things and drawing.
Mr. Winick loves being a cartoonist, husband, and father, and he urged South students to find out who they are. He stated that life is a journey of self discovery of who each person might be. He related this idea to his Hilo series, where every character is on a journey of understanding. For example, DJ doesn’t really like himself and thinks he isn’t good at much, but the Hilo books show that he is brave and loyal to his friends. Gina must work to be her own person, even though her mother wants her to be like her older sisters. And, of course, the central mystery of the Hilo series is Hilo’s backstory. Hilo realizes in flashes of memory that he wasn’t so nice before, and he longs to be different. To change and to grow. To be better. Like the Hilo characters, Mr. Winick asked each student to be open on the important journey of self-discovery.
Judd Winick’s engaging presentation made me realize that in addition to being a cartoonist, husband, and father, Mr. Winick is a powerful and persuasive storyteller. His Hilo series is captivating because every reader roots for his characters to be their best selves and to overcome the many obstacles they encounter, in our universe or another. Plus, the books are just so funny!! I hope we are fortunate enough to have Judd Winick return next year when he releases the 5th book in the Hilo series, Then Everything Went Wrong. In fact, I hope he returns for many years, as he divulged that when the first Hilo series of six books concludes, he will begin another series of Hilo adventures. Lucky us! We have many more stories of friendship, action, peril, humor, and self-discovery to anticipate.
Judd Winick--South’s Favorite Author!
Saturday, February 17, 2018