Steve Gray has created an exciting inter-active presentation that shows students how a children’s picture book is illustrated from rough pencil sketches to the final slick full-color book that they would find on the shelf of their local bookstore or library.  In his presentation Steve gives the students a hands-on, follow-along, drawing lesson.  His presentations usually given at school assemblies in large groups are designed to build confidence and encourage students to feel positive about them-selves when pursuing creative endeavors. Teachers then build on Steve's presentation using it as a springboard for art and literature appreciation and to stimulate reading and creative writing in their classrooms.

You may not recognize Steve Gray by name but you may recognize him by his work. Steve spent the first 20 years of his freelance illustration career doing humorous art for advertising.  His clients included McDonalds, Carl’s Jr., Pizza Hut, Baskin Robbins, Disney, Knott’s Berry Farm, Warner Brothers, K-Swiss and American Express to name a few.  Seven years ago Golden Books of New York hired Steve to illustrate his first children’s picture book “Earth, Where Would We Be Without It” by Kathleen Kranking.  Since then he has illustrated books for Scholastic, American Greetings, Innovative Kids, Bowtie Press and Rising Moon.  Rising Moon will release his seventh book “There Was A Coyote Who Swallowed A Flea” by Jennifer Ward in January 2007.  His book “Farmer McPeepers and His Missing Milk Cows” by Katy Duffield was chosen two years in a row by the California Teachers Association to promote Read Across America which is celebrated nationally each year in March on Dr. Seuss’ birthday.  Also, “Farmer McPeepers and His Missing Milk Cows” was an Arkansas Diamond Honor Book Winner in 2006.

Inside this website you’ll find everything you need to arrange for Steve to make a presentation at your school. Steve's school visit is the type of inspiring presentation that your students will be talking about long after he has gone.