Library Visits

Meeting an author or illustrator can encourage a student’s creativity and build a love of reading from a young age. Lisa’s debut picture book Santiago and Great Bear, published on June 30, 2026, and she is ready to share it with your library!

One of my favorite things about being an illustrator and author of books for kids, is that I get to share both art principles and cool science facts with children. – Lisa Johnston Hancock

Storytime

Santiago and Great Bear is ideal for grades K4-3rd. Storytime is a place for caregivers and children to share a love of reading. Santiago and Great Bear appeals to various age groups and encourages children to investigate the night sky. Creatures are hidden throughout the pages to excite even the youngest audience member and additional back matter on lunar phases can be explored at the end, for the budding astronomer.

Lisa will do a reading of her picture book Santiago and Great Bear, asking questions about the moon throughout. After the reading, she will discuss moon phases and why the moon might look like a full moon one night, and a crescent shape another night. Lisa will also discuss with students the best time to find the constellations in her book, her favorite app for star gazing and how to make a constellation wheel. A pdf with a coloring page and the constellation wheel sheets will be emailed prior to the visit, and librarians can print them out to accompany the program.

The best way to contact her is by email at ljhancock.artist@gmail.com

Lisa is looking forward to sharing her love of the natural world, science, illustration and writing stories with your library!

Learn more about Lisa’s book through her publisher’s YouTube channel.

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