Massapequa High School art teacher Penny Schneider, who has been inspiring students to tap into their creativity for three decades, has taken on a new creative venture of her own. Her children’s graphic novel, “Arty,” was recently published and is starting to appear in book stores.
Ms. Schneider, whose dream job as a child was to be a cartoonist, was both the author and illustrator of the 102-page book. It is about Arty, a betta fish who goes to betta school to learn to be a fighter but instead seeks out friendship. Lessons from the story including being kind and being yourself. A bloopers section at the end reminds readers that it’s OK to make a mistake.
“I feel like this is my baby,” she said of the book. “I loved making it, coming up with the story, coming up with the characters.”
Arty’s name is not because she is an art teacher but is an homage to her father, Arthur. Ms. Schneider’s 20-year-old daughter also served as inspiration. Her daughter always loved books and as a child if she couldn’t find one on the topic she wanted, Ms. Schneider would make up a story. Now her made up story is in print and on shelves.
From the time the idea was born, it took about four years to turn “Arty” into a book. Last year, she linked up with a publisher, Monarch Educational Services, and the puppeteers from “Yo Gabba Gabba” made her an Arty puppet. Now that her book is published, she is starting to plan book promotion visits at local stores including Barnes & Noble. A sequel, “Arty 2,” is also in the works.
Ms. Schneider is a 1987 graduate of Massapequa High School and then attended college at SUNY New Paltz for art education. Her first year teaching in the district was an Unqua Elementary School before moving to the high school. This year, she teaches Studio in Art as well as Drawing and Painting Levels 1 and 2.
Last year, when Ms. Schneider was in the finishing stages of her book, she regularly spoke about the process with students. It even sparked a two-week lesson in which they created their own graphic novel panels and characters.
“I want my students to love their art and love themselves,” Ms. Schneider said. “I want them to know that their art can mean something and do so much good. You want to make people happy with your art and that’s what the goal of my book is.”
