Calling himself an “authostrator,” Florian writes and illustrates children’s poetry books. Since 1980, Florian has written and illustrated dozens of books of children’s poetry, including “Poetrees” (2010); “Dinothesaurus” (2009), a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, a Horn Book Fanfare List selection and a Junior Library Guild selection; “Lizards, Frogs and Polliwogs” (2005), a Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book,Gryphon Award-winner and Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year “Bow Wow Meow Meow” (2003).

 

Florian enjoys working in mixed media applications like collage, watercolor, and gouache on a surface of primed paper bags and focuses on nature themes to connect children with his poetry.

 

A former cartoonist for “The New Yorker” magazine, Florian also exhibits his work for the general public in solo and group shows.

 

The visit was orchestrated by Library Media Specialist Kimberly Pallant and the St. Cloud Cultural Arts PTA Committee. “Mr. Florian presented his poems and drawings to K-5 students in four sessions,” said Pallant.

 

“He highlighted figurative language such as personification, alliteration, wordplay, and poetic license, and played a drawing guessing game where the students had to guess what animal he was drawing by revealing one detail at a time,” she continued.

 

“I received positive feedback from students and teachers alike,” she concluded.