Local Author Inspires Young Readers with Creative Workshop

Local author and illustrator Rashad Doucet engaged with second and third graders at Juliette Gordon Low Elementary School in Savannah, Georgia, as part of the Savannah Book Festival’s “SBF@Schools” program. This event provided an opportunity for Doucet to share his passion for writing and illustration, inspiring students to explore their own creativity.

Doucet, who began drawing at a young age, shared his journey from doodling during church services to publishing three books, including his latest work, “Art Club.” This book, centered around a child learning about comics in school, resonated with the young audience, as it mirrored their own age when he discovered his love for art. Doucet explained his creative process, demonstrating how an idea evolves into a story and ultimately a finished book.

The interactive nature of the workshop allowed students to participate in the creative process. Doucet encouraged suggestions from the children, leading to the spontaneous creation of a new character: a coal mining unicorn with the superpower of turning objects into ice. “I’m a big kid, so I like to get excited and laugh with them and make jokes,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of keeping the atmosphere light and engaging.

Doucet highlighted the significance of comics, or sequential art, as a medium that combines various skills. He expressed his enthusiasm for the growing recognition of comics, stating, “I want people to read. And I think comics is a great way to get people, especially kids, to read. They got me to read.” His belief in the power of storytelling through illustration aims to foster a love for reading among young audiences.

Principal Evanita Wallace-Lewis praised Doucet’s visit, noting its impact on the students’ perception of literacy. “Literacy is a marker of what we do when we are able to have someone come into the school, share their love of literacy, writing, and being an illustrator,” she explained. Wallace-Lewis emphasized the importance of such interactions in helping children understand that they too can pursue creative endeavors.

At the end of the workshop, each student received a signed copy of Doucet’s book, “Art Club,” as a tangible reminder of the importance of reading. Wallace-Lewis remarked, “Kids love getting things, and what better way to show them the importance of reading than by giving them a book? They can build their own home libraries and share it with their siblings, demonstrating that reading can be fun.”

Through this initiative, the Savannah Book Festival continues to promote literacy and creative expression, fostering a new generation of readers and writers. Doucet’s enthusiasm and dedication to inspiring young minds reflect the festival’s mission to cultivate a love of literature in schools across the region.