Ruth Harper is a self-taught artist and the illustrator of several children’s books, including “The Kissing Hand,” “Where do Creatures Sleep at Night?” and “Sassafras.” Harper was brought in to visit with students for the Fort Dodge Senior High Alumni Association’s annual author/illustrator visit.

The tradition of inviting a children’s author or illustrator to visit the elementary schools started at least three decades ago, said Kathy Kudron, a member of the Alumni Association’s board. It began with a longtime school librarian in the district, Carol Porter. Working in the schools, Porter would bring in authors to meet the students and when she passed away, she left money to the district to continue that tradition.

When the money was eventually depleted, the Fort Dodge Senior High Alumni Association stepped up to continue to fund the author visits.

Several members of the Alumni Association board are former teachers, Kudron said.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Illustrator Ruth Harper taught Duncombe Elementary students how to draw a bird during her presentation on Thursday morning.

“We remember how impactful [author visits] were for our students when we were teaching, so we just felt it’s such a good cause and it’s something that we needed to continue,” she said.

During her presentation, Harper encouraged the students to doodle on pieces of paper because research has shown that doodling in class or during presentations helps students focus, improves memory and relieves stress.

“It helps their brain relax and be creative,” Harper said.

After giving the students a presentation on how she illustrates books and brings the stories to life, Harper gave the students a quick drawing lesson to show that by taking small steps — like drawing one line at a time — anyone can be an artist.

“I think it’s always great when kids get a chance to learn what authors and illustrators do,” said Duncombe Principal Ryan Flaherty. “You could definitely see in the first and second and third-graders that they loved it and learning how to draw like that was pretty magical.”

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Charlotte Niemand, center, looks over at classmate Uasia Marshall's drawing during a presentation from an illustrator at Duncombe Elementary School on Thursday morning.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Duncombe Elementary student Jaxton Crouse doodles on some paper while listening to a presentation from visiting illustrator Ruth Harper on Thursday morning.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Visiting illustrator Ruth Harper encouraged students to doodle as they listened along to her presentation at Duncombe Elementary School on Thursday morning.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Duncombe Elementary student Lucy Brown rubs on her ears to help "get out the wiggles" during a presentation from visiting illustrator Ruth Harper on Thursday morning.