Astronauts grow two inches taller in space; jellyfish can clone themselves; cats are allergic to humans and why a dinosaur is actually a terrible lizard.

That’s how New York Times bestselling illustrator and author Mike Lowery hooked the attention of Albion Middle School students — with quirky facts, quick sketches and a lesson how creativity can start with just about anything.

Lowery, known for his work on dozens of books for children and adults, including “Random Illustrated Facts” and Scholastic’s “The Everything Awesome” series, spent the day sharing his unique approach to storytelling, research and art in an interactive experience that blended creativity with science, history and literacy.  

The visit began with student-musicians announcing his visit.

“Never once before has there been a school that’s heralded me,” said Lowery, who has traveled worldwide giving school presentations, adding he was impressed by the enthusiasm and preparation we saw throughout Albion’s halls.

Students had spent months preparing for his visit, incorporating a “Mike Lowery-esque” style into their classes. From illustrated maps and infographic posters, they created storyboards and incorporated their lessons, which were designed to reflect his signature blend of humor and facts. Even teachers took part, creating Mike Lowery-inspired vines, which were displayed alongside the student work.

During his morning presentation, Lowery gave students a glimpse into his creative process, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and daily practice.

“I love to draw and everywhere I go, I carry a sketchbook with me,” he said, showing students pictures of him from drawing in the Amazon to sketching at the Grand Canyon. “I draw because it helps me come up with ideas.”

Lowery said often those bursts of inspiration are pieced together to create his books. As he shared some of his favorite “weird facts,” like a chicken nugget shaped like George Washington which sold for $8,000, students laughed, but he showed how these quirky examples were researched and came together in engaging stories.

Mike Lowery is known for his book illustrations, such as in “Lonely Planet Kids America’s National Parks.” (Scan)

 Students also participated in drawing activities, starting with giving him ideas of what to sketch from simple shapes. As imaginative characters quickly came into being, he asked questions, such as why is the character wearing sunglasses, what is in the box and who is the character and why are they there.

“This is how all my stories happen,” he said. “The goal is to take things in, talk to people, look around you. Write it down, make connections and start building them together for a story.”

Eighth-grader Gavin Riches found it inspiring.

“I drew the same random shapes and I tried to figure out where a face would go or what it was going to be and do,” he said. “I learned you can create art from pretty much anything.”

Parents joined students for an after-school drawing lesson. That’s where Lisa Fillmore and her sixth-grade son, Weston, were learning Lowery’s style.

“I like his doodles; I feel like anybody can do it,” Fillmore said as her son added he researched and created an Arches National Park infographic similar to Lowery’s artwork in the “Lonely Planet Kids America’s National Parks” book.

While Georgia-based Lowery has worked on a book series with the famed Jeopardy champion from Murray, Ken Jennings, Lowery let students know his current project, an imaginary character kid graphic novel series, will be released in January 2027. 

The learning continued the next day as Albion students went to The Living Planet Aquarium, sketchbooks in hand, to observe animals and apply the drawing techniques they learned. Those sketches were the base of a science project where they created an infographic on the animal they studied combining art, writing and research.

“Mike’s presentations are modified to the needs of a school and we wanted to learn how he creates and how he researches these books he makes,” said sixth-grade teacher Stephanie Kourianos, who coordinated his visit along with Bridget Rees, Albion teacher librarian and media specialist. “His research is credible research, and he ties into the project he’s working on. We’re teaching kids about credible research and how to use it when they do their own research. He also is going to focus on creativity; a lot of our students have fallen in love with his books.”

Lowery made a connection with students as he signed their books, many which were won in school contests or through positive behavior points. The books were made possible with a $1,000 Donors Choose grant, Rees said.

Mindy Robison, Canyons School District’s school performance director over middle schools, appreciated Lowery helping build the school culture around books.

“Bringing authors allows the school to build a culture based on literacy, but also enjoyment of reading and experiencing what it is to be successful when you go for your dream,” she said. “I love Mike Lowery's focus on creativity and the arts. Watching the kids experience an artist doing it, was amazing, and then, taking them to the aquarium the next day to try it firsthand, with content and interdisciplinary projects around it, the kids are never going to forget this.”