Sharjah 24: "I am living a dream I never dreamt," shared renowned American cartoonist, Jerry Craft, with school children at his inaugural talk at the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2024) on Tuesday.

The author of over two dozen books, including several that have attained the New York Times bestseller status, Craft reflected on the importance of personal storytelling. “I began illustrating because I was disillusioned by the repetitive and struggling depictions of African-Americans across the media. Not all shared that narrative; and it certainly wasn't my experience. I wanted to showcase a different reality, so I started writing my own stories,” he said.

Nearly thirty years ago, at age 34, Craft published his first book and has not looked back since. His popular bestseller, New Kid, celebrated across various continents and translated into multiple languages, is soon to become a film in a venture with NBA icon LeBron James's production company. 

“It is up to you to tell your own stories. I can't narrate your experiences here in the UAE, you should. I’d like to read stories about your cuisine, culture, and what makes you unique. Remember, only you can narrate these tales accurately, especially if they diverge from common perceptions,” Craft said.

The hour-long session proved to be a masterclass on both illustration and life. When asked for advice on becoming an illustrator, Craft highlighted the essential steps: "The key to illustrating, like many things in life, is to start. Complete your work, review it, and refine it. But first, you must finish what you begin.”

To foster creativity among the children, Craft used a flip board to demonstrate easy cartoon drawing techniques. He sketched six characters, including the iconic Black Panther and Snoopy from the Peanuts series. These drawings, autographed by Craft, were handed to students who engaged with questions and lively interaction.

Talking about his future projects, Craft said he is working on another three-book series, and two new books with two fellow authors. 

As the session concluded, Craft continued to engage with the young attendees, signing books, getting photographs, and answering their queries. 

The 15th annual Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, held at Expo Centre Sharjah until May 12, hosts over 1,500 activities, including workshops and talks. For more details on the daily events and schedule, visit: www.scrf.ae.