On Monday, May 9, students at the Estes Park Elementary School were treated to a visit by award-winning children’s book illustrator and artist Rafael López. López is the recipient of the 2019 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award. His award-winning illustrations bring diverse characters to children’s books, and he is driven to produce and promote books that reflect and honor the lives of all young people.

The visit was made possible through collaboration among the Estes Valley Library and the Estes Park School District, with sponsorship by the Estes Park Woman’s Club.

“We’re grateful to the Woman’s Club for their sponsorship of this event,” said Melanie Kozlowski, the Library’s Early Literacy Librarian. “Author visits are exciting and meaningful for the Library and Estes Park Schools. Students gain a personal experience alongside a working artist. And they see firsthand that the books they love are made by regular people who use their creative gifts to help make the world a better and more colorful place.”