The Freedom of a Blank Canvas

The ABaD team had the enormous pleasure of visiting John Moffet Elementary for an author visit and interactive art session! 

The idea for this workshop grew out of a short story, “Jamari,” by local award-winning author Christine Kendall, which features a curious, misunderstood boy who expresses himself by making art with brown paper bags. Just like Jamari, we decided to build our own “mural,” decorated with the outlines of whimsical birds, to create a canvas for children’s artistic creativity. The hope was that we could spark reflection around the idea of the “freedom to learn.”

[Jamari had] taped all the bags Mama keeps under the sink together into one piece. It was falling down the steps and it showed a row of big brownstones, Mr. Witherspoon’s car, the yellow curtains on the church lady’s window next door, just, our whole block with all our birds all over it—cardinals, bluejays, and hawks like we see over by the river.

Excerpt from “Jamari” by Christine Kendall – read the full story here

The session was led by our very own Christine Kendall and Mugo Muna, and we had a wonderful time with a curious and lively group of 4th grade students. After listening to Christine’s reading of Jamari, the students were encouraged by Mugo to fill the mural with their own colors, patterns, designs, and ideas. They immediately crowded around the mural with infectious energy and got to work! Some giggled as they colored, others drew solemnly and carefully.

When the students were encouraged to ask questions, their hands shot straight up, and there was quite a lot of wisdom in the questions they had for Christine:

When can you say that you are an “author”?

Christine: You are the one who decides if you are an author or poet, no one has to give you permission to name yourself!

What inspired you to become an author?

Christine: We all have our own unique stories to tell.

One of the biggest takeaways from our school visit to Moffet was that it felt like a kind of homegoing: we were being welcomed into one big, warm family. While at the school, we chatted with their incredible librarian, whose family has been with the school for years, including her own children and grandchildren. Three student ambassadors took us on a mini tour of the school, and we walked through corridors that were filled with so much color, artwork, and curiosity about different cultures and languages. (We even chanced upon some of A Book a Day’s Voices Alive posters hanging up in the hallway!) 

It was really an honor to visit Moffet and see how much the students, teachers, and staff truly love and take pride in the school.

And check out the “before” and “after” for our mural activity – when provided with the freedom of a blank canvas, the students did a fantastic job of creating a colorful mural bursting with whimsy and creativity.

The mural will be on display at A Book a Day’s Children’s Day event on August 22, 2026! Learn more about the event details, as well as the story that Children’s Day is centered on, “Jamari,” at the links below: