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I knew I could see things in the world that others could not--to me the world could be much more alive and animated. Objects turned into characters before my very eyes, little messages appeared just for me, I saw what ‘could' exist, magical things. But I pushed these thoughts aside because the world told me they were crazy.

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I worked with every medium I could find.  I transformed egg cartons into dragons, grey bits of plastercine (stolen from school in small increments) into never-ending labyrinthine houses full of secret rooms and tiny furniture. Bags of wool scraps became fodder for dozens of projects, anything from weaving to doll hair; fabric scraps were sewn into a variety of shapes and characters, paper plates into masks worn with fervor. 

Every day brought forth unlimited potential for creation.

And then I would have to go back to school again and I would feel suffocated and bored.

Looking back now I think my drawing rut reflected my mental state at being forced to go to school. I did what I felt was expected of me. Every day, the same thing. Ad nauseum. I had taken on their perception of me.

But in my private life I became invincible. My imagination ruled.

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I was very excited to be asked to be a guest blogger for Penguin because for years I have been working on a plot to infiltrate the system and inject it with my subversive ideas.

You represent stage 3 in my plan.

Keri Smith is our guest blogger during the week of August 31st. If you have any questions for Keri Smith, add a comment to any of her posts. Here is some more information about This is Not a Book:

A curious, engaging, and creative rethinking of what a book can be, from the creator of Wreck this Journal.

In this uniquely skewed look at the purpose and function of "a book," Keri Smith offers an illustrated guide that asks readers to creatively examine all the different ways This Is Not a Book can be used. With intriguing prompts, readers will discover that the book can be:

A secret message-tear out a page, write a note on it for a stranger, and leave it in a public place.

A recording device-have everyone you contact today write their name in the book.

An instrument-create as many sounds as you can using the book, like flipping the pages fast or slapping the cover

. This Is Not a Book will engage readers by having them define everything a book can be by asking, "If it's not a book, what is it then?"-with a kaleidoscope of possible answers. 

About Keri Smith