Come for the Art & Books and Stay All Day!

Raul Colon at our 2011 Children's Book Illustration Show - photo courtesy of Guillermo Lefranc

Don't forget to mark your calenders! The 21st Annual Children's Book Illustration Art Show & Book Signing is fast approaching, and we don't want you to miss out! It all happens Saturday, December 1, 1 - 5pm.

While you're picking up your signed books, meeting the artists and viewing the original illustrations adorning our walls, why not pop out our back door and spend some time listening to your favorite illustrators & authors speak?

Schedule of
Talks & Demonstrations by the Illustrators & Authors

**Just added!**
1:30 Kathleen Krull, Dramatic Reading of "Fartiste"
1:45  Penny S. Bryan, PhD, "Setting the Scene"
2:00  Lisa Mertins, "Switching Gears, Illustrating for Children"
2:25  Matt Tavares, "Illustrating Non-Fiction Books"
2:50  Boris Kulikov, "Creating a Picture Book"
3:15  Chris Sheban, "From Point A (Arghh!) to Point B (Book)"
3:40  E.B. Lewis, "Mastering the Visual Language"

Plus, Kid's Storytime at 2pm & 3pm, read by Rita Hughes!

Penny S. Bryan, PhD of Chapman University College of Educational Studies will enlighten us as she introduces the world of children's literature and illustration. Discover how Lisa Mertins made the jump from working for the Orange County Register to illustrating children's books for Jim Doti, president of Chapman University. (Plus, be on the lookout for a very special book signing for Jim's & Lisa's new book, "Jimmy Finds His Voice!") Hear how Matt Tavares applies his illustration practices to create such wonderful historical and biographical stories. Boris Kulikov will let us in on his secrets to creating his bold, whimsical worlds. Chris Sheban will explain how he gets from the initial excitement of reading a manuscript to the finished picture book. Let E.B. Lewis guide you through his artistic journey from student to professor to illustrator.

And, to kick it all off, we've just added Kathleen Krull, author of "Fartiste" and the "Giants of Science" series! Kathleen has kindly offered to do a dramatic reading of "Fartiste," and we just couldn't resist!

Lectures and presentations are free of charge and open to everyone.

And, preview illustrations before your favorite is snapped up. Preview on-line or in person at the gallery.

Rob and Shirley, our amazing helpers, wading through our books

The anticipation is palpable as we get closer to the big day! We are so excited to see the framed illustrations as they're finished, to open the boxes and boxes of books as they're delivered (although we're not sure friends and helpers extraordinaire Rob & Shirley agree...) and to see the entire show slowly coming together. We can't wait to share it all with you on December 1st!