East Midvale Elementary was buzzing with excitement as all 480 students gathered for a lively assembly featuring author, illustrator and visual storyteller Bethany Barton, known for her humorous and science-infused picture books “I’m Trying to Love Spiders,” “Give Bees a Chance” and “This Monster Cannot Wait.”

“I read the new book, ‘I’m Trying to Love Farts,’ complete with sound effects from my computer and spraying with toilet paper,” Barton said with a laugh. 

Barton, who told students she uses research as a visual storyteller in the film and TV industry, said she used those same skills researching spiders and bees for her books.

“I started looking things up and finding professionals in the field, I read books and scientific papers. What I like about this is being able to communicate that science to kids, because they’re the best versions of humans,” she said, adding she is working on a book about “brains and screens” which will be released next year.

Barton’s visit sparked learning how curiosity and creativity can work together. After the assembly, Barton led every student in helping to create a new school mural. 

“We got groups of students and each created a shape and as they day went on, they added to it. For example, if they picked green, they could add on to someone else’s green. Ultimately, in the end, it will be all solid shapes and then in the end, it will have a message,” Barton said. “Every single kid in the school will have been able to put their hand in it, which is really fun.”

The finished mural includes doodles, critters and details representing the school community, tied together with East Midvale’s theme, SOAR: Self-management, Ownership, Acceptance and Resilience. 

For Barton, the project carries deeper meaning. 

“Kids have painted something tiny, the size of their hand; it’s a good exercise in understanding that their little part can help add to the entire picture and make something beautiful when they all do their part,” she said. “It’s also a good exercise in delayed gratification, because when they come in tomorrow and see the whole wall filled, it’ll be like — whoa.”

Fifth-grader Charli Thompson agreed. 

“I filled in the white parts around two yellow parts,” she said. “It was really fun because I got to experience painting on my first ever mural. I have no idea how this mural will turn out, but I’m excited to see it and know she will tie everything we’ve painted together. She said it will have a very important message — but I don’t know what it is, and that makes it 10 times more fun because I like surprises. I learned that every hand makes a difference; we did this together.”

The event was part of United Way Salt Lake’s Day of Caring 2025, bringing together volunteers from HCA St. Mark’s Hospital, parents and school staff. 

“We had 12 volunteers with HCA and about six from United Way,” said Shelley McCall, East Midvale’s community school facilitator. “Bethany did an incredible job pulling the pieces of the mural together and then adding our East Midvale messaging and all her creativity. It’s like a giant ‘I Spy’ mural.”

Principal Amy Sandgren said the day combined literacy, science and art.

“Students learned through literacy about so many science things,” she said. “The lesson learned is reading is cool, and it can teach us amazing things. And then, working as a community is an inspiring and beautiful thing that can result by doing it together.”

For Barton, it all ties back to her core values: creativity, connection and community. 

“I like reminding kids what you can do with community,” she said. “It’s important, especially after COVID, to remember what we can accomplish when we work with others. When the students see the mural complete tomorrow, it will be a bright reminder that together we can make something extraordinary.”