Hornell City School District experienced an exciting literary boost this month as two celebrated children’s authors, James Burks and Jarrett J. Krosoczka, visited the district. Their presentations brought energy and encouragement to the students, many of whom left feeling more inspired than ever to read, imagine, and create.

Both authors shared stories about their creative processes, early inspirations, and the hard work that goes into bringing a book to life. One 5th grader from Mrs. Stark’s class said, “I got an inspiration and I’m writing my own story!” while a 4th grader from Mrs. Zigenfus’ class described rushing home to begin a new project, saying, “I went down into my basement, grabbed some chalk and I got started on my own series… get ready for Betty and Bob!” Other students simply felt encouraged to explore new books, with one remarking, “After meeting these guys, I decided to give their books a try!”

The impact reached beyond the classroom. Several students visited the school library in the days that followed to share stories they had been creating at home, some even collaborating with siblings. One example involved a 2nd grade illustrator and her 5th grade brother, who teamed up to begin their own owl-themed graphic novel series.

“Moments like these highlight the power of author visits to ignite creativity and build confidence in young readers and writers,” said Jordan Hahn, Library Media Specialist. “We’re grateful for opportunities that enrich students’ learning experiences and strengthen a community connected through storytelling.”