On Monday I had an incredible day. It started with an author presentation at my children’s school, which was part of the annual Sutherland Awards for picture books. I wrote about this some years back, during our first year in Chicago. The winner from last year for BEST OVERALL picture book was Marla Frazee, who won for her wonderful book A COUPLE OF BOYS HAVE THE BEST WEEK EVER. The Sutherland Awards at the Lab Schools are akin to the Academy Awards for picture books. Frazee was invited to come and speak this year about her work while also announcing this year’s winners.

In a theater packed with kids, I listened to and watched Frazee talk about stories, especially those told in pictures, her writing and illustrating process, her dog, Rocket, and her childhood, when she realized early on that what she wanted to do was write and illustrate children’s books. The second half of her presentation focused on ALL THE WORLD, a book she illustrated and Liz Garton Scanlon wrote. She explained the choices she made for the illustrations while showing them and the photographs of the places that inspired them. I sat in the theater feeling lucky to be in the world with Marla Frazee, an artist who has dedicated her professional life to telling stories in words and pictures, stories that children clearly love and appreciate and need.

On Monday night my son Alex and I went to a concert organized by the Chicago Cello Society called, “The Singing Cello: Celebrating the Lyrical Voice of the Cello.” Twenty different cellists played short lyrical pieces. Because we were sitting in the front row, we were able to see the truly human act that playing music is. We were able to observe each cellist’s technique, how s/he breathes while playing, the type of concentration it takes to make the cello sing, and so much more. It was breathtaking to listen to such beautiful music and to witness its creation.

At the end of Monday I felt inspired and happy to be alive and able to experience the fulfillment that comes from engaging with the work of artists. This isn’t an original thought, but it was clear to me at the end of Monday and in the past couple of days as I have continued to relish and reflect on Frazee’s art and words and the cellists’ music that the arts are what will sustain us–and more: the arts are what will save us.