As JFK students entered the auditorium, the excitement was real. As a school, students have been reading the book, “Juana and Lucas,” by Juana Medina. Today, they were visited by the author.
“That’s Juana!” said Jake Zhana.
“I hope Lucas is here too,” said Sofia Reale.
The book is a story based on author-illustrator Juana Medina’s own childhood in Colombia, about Juana and her best amigo, her dog Lucas. Medina spoke to JFK students about being from Botogta, which is in the Andes Mountains, how she learned to speak English with a little help from Mickey Mouse, and how she moved to the United States. She touched on dealing with difficult times and how to handle those moments by looking for something happy or beautiful. The presentation was interactive and included slides of Bogota and pictures she illustrated including one of a face with a speckled banana.
An improv section of her assembly was next with student collaboration. Students suggested animals and vehicles and Medina drew those animals–lion, cheetah, shark–riding those vehicles–bike, motorcycle, and Lamborghini. To the delight of the crowd, Medina created a coloring page for everyone to take home.
After the assembly, Medina signed books, ate pizza and chatted with students–all of whom had clearly read the book and were excited to share their favorite parts.
“My favorite part was when Juana was learning English and she said it made her tongue tickle,” said Joey.
“My favorite part was Lucas,” said Isabel Rodriguez.
Medina is not only a wonderful writer and illustrator, but an inspirational person who encouraged JFK students to read and be creative.