Children's author and illustrator Suzanne Bloom believes words and pictures should inspire.

Bloom spent part of Tuesday afternoon at Brownstown Elementary School sharing her stories and vibrant illustrations with students.

A resident of New York state, Bloom has illustrated or written 10 children's books, including "A Splendid Friend, Indeed" and "The Bus for Us," which she read to students in kindergarten and first and second grades.

Even as a child, Bloom said, she "had a knack for writing and drawing."

"I put crayons in between my chubby little hands when I was 2 years old and made beautiful scribbles," Bloom said. "I'm still making beautiful scribbles."

Ana Toro, a first-grader, said she was excited to meet Bloom.

"It's the first author I've ever seen," she said. "I like when she puts details into her picture drawings."

 First-grader John Bowman said he enjoyed hearing Bloom's stories.

"It's nice," he said. "Her books are funny."

The Brownstown visit was part of a two-day tour Bloom is making of Conestoga Valley elementary schools.

Before Bloom started writing children's books 20 years ago, she was an architectural renderer. She said she also made wooden toys with her husband for many years, but eventually decided to change careers.

"It was too noisy and too dusty," she said. "One day I decided, 'I want to write books.' I thought, 'I can do that!' "

The best part of being a children's author, Bloom said, is telling stories that encourage young people to dream.

"I want children to walk away from one of my stories and believe more in themselves and their abilities," she said.

Bloom said she knows firsthand the power of self-determination. It took her two years to get her first book, "We Keep a Pig in the Parlor," published.

"Writing can be frustrating," she said. "Sometimes I get an idea and then end up just sitting and staring at a page. But I've learned that's part of the creative process. I know it will all work out."

And work out it has. In 2006, Bloom won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Book Award. In 2007, she won the Pennsylvania One Book Award.

Gage McClune, a first-grader, said he especially likes Bloom's colorful illustrations.

"She's good at drawing and does some interesting stuff," he said.

First-grader Kohl Jordan said Bloom's books have taught him the importance of manners.

"It teaches you not to be mean," he said.

E-mail: mpennino@lnpnews.com