"We prepare students to engage in the world that is and to help bring about a world that ought to be."
Author and Illustrator K-Fai Steele Brings Stories to Life in an Inspiring Visit to Friends
On October 11, the Lower School was honored to welcome acclaimed author and illustrator K-Fai Steele for a day of inspiration and artistic exploration. Known for her beautifully crafted children’s books, including A Normal Pig and the 2021 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year All Eyes on Ozzy! Her dynamic artwork brings to life stories that encourage readers to embrace creativity, curiosity, and diversity. K-Fai’s professional journey includes prestigious fellowships, such as the James Marshall Fellowship at the University of Connecticut, the Brown Handler Writer in Residence at the San Francisco Public Library, and the Ezra Jack Keats/Kerlan Memorial Fellowship at the University of Minnesota.
The author’s LS assembly focused on her illustrations for Noodlephant by Jacob Kramer, a story about an elephant and her friends who band together to overthrow the kangaroos that run their town. The book explores a community’s response to injustice and who makes the rules, and who must break them. It’s about noodles and revolution, laws and lasagna. Lower School students eagerly brought their paper and pencils to the Community Period, where K-Fai demonstrated how to draw the beloved character, Noodlephant.
In addition to her engaging sessions with Lower School students, K-Fai took time to meet with Upper School students during a special lunch hosted by Morgan in Studio 1. This unique opportunity allowed older students to gain insight into K-Fai’s artistic process as she shared a behind-the-scenes look at her studio and creative workflow. The students were treated to a presentation that delved into the intricacies of illustration and storytelling, followed by a hands-on workshop where they had the opportunity to explore their own artistic expression under her expert guidance.
K-Fai Steele’s visit left a lasting impression on students, sparking thoughtful conversations around identity, creativity, and the power of storytelling. Her ability to connect with students across age groups speaks to the universal themes present in her work, making this day an enriching and unforgettable experience for all involved.
Friends Seminary actively promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all its programs and operations, including admissions, financial aid, hiring, and all facets of the educational experience. To form a community which strives to reflect the world’s diversity, we do not discriminate on the basis of race or color, religion, nationality, ethnicity, economic background, physical ability, sex, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. Friends Seminary is an equal opportunity employer.
Friends Seminary — the oldest continuously operated, coeducational school in NYC — serves college-bound day students in Kindergarten-Grade 12.
