Visiting island schools presents unique challenges. Early mornings, ferry schedules, unpredictable weather—all conspire to make those trips out a true adventure for our author and illustrator partners.

IRW is fortunate to have creative friends who embrace the experience of traveling to island schools, both to meet and work with the incredible children who live there but also to soak up island life and what makes these small schools so unique.

Jamie Hogan’s island tour in fall 2024 included visits to Islesboro, Vinalhaven and North Haven in Knox County, ME. Traveling from her own island home on Peaks Island, she met up with IRW’s Director of School Programs, Alison Johnson, in Rockland before the three-day tour.

Jamie’s recent visit was focused on her picture book Skywatcher, a story about a boy who dreams of seeing vivid constellations, though he lives in a city with light pollution—until a magical camping trip. Rich with images of Maine’s wildlife and wilderness, her artwork inspired island students to draw animals and constellations of their own, experimenting with Jamie’s favored medium—pastels on dark paper.

Jamie wrote beautifully about her time with IRW in her blog post, “Ferry Catching with Island Readers & Writers,” capturing vibrant classrooms and impressive student art. It’s a special moment when we can connect island students to authors and illustrators who love and appreciate their communities.

Island schools are close to our hearts, too.

Author/illustrator Stephen Costanza & Founder Jan Coates prepare to board a plane to Matinicus Isle, 2008

Maine’s island schools are often small—they frequently have multigrade classrooms or even one-room schoolhouses. Isolated by geography and intermittent ferry schedules, island kids are likely to have less access to books, art supplies, and visitors.

Chris Van Dusen unloads books from a boat for a school visit on Frenchboro Island, 2005.

Visiting an island often means planning for contingencies and packing rain gear, but we’ve always been met with incredible island hospitality—including plenty of potlucks and the friendliest hosts.

Since our earliest beginnings, IRW has been committed to serving children living on Maine’s islands. We believe that all Maine children have the right to access opportunities and life outcomes not limited by race, ethnicity, economic class or geography. IRW is committed to our island schools and their unique character, supporting students and teachers alike.