DATE: March 30, 2012
MEDIA CONTACT: Loria Hyatt
PHONE: 954-357-7336
EMAIL: lhyatt@browardlibrary.org
“All the Way to America” is the theme for Broward County Library's joint 25th Annual Conference on Children’s Literature and 10th Annual Ashley Bryan Art Series, to be held on Friday, April 27 at Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The day-long event, which is free and open to the public, celebrates children’s books and authors as well as artists who illustrate children’s literature. It offers a unique learning opportunity for teachers, librarians, media specialists, day care workers and parents. Registration and refreshments begin at 9:30 a.m.
“All the Way to America” embodies the work of the keynote speakers for the event, Dan Yaccarino and Ashley Bryan. Dan Yaccarino is an American author, illustrator and television producer best-known for his Parent’s Choice Award-winning animated TV series Oswald (Nick Jr.) and Emmy Award-winning TV series Willa’s Wild Life (NBC and Qubo). He’s written and illustrated dozens of children’s books including Every Friday, Five Little Pumpkins and his most recent, All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel. His work has been recognized with a variety of awards including the New York Times 10 Best Illustrated, ALA Notable and Parent’s Choice Award.
Ashley Bryan is best known for his colorful images and illustrations that grace the pages of dozens of beloved children’s book. Born in Antigua and raised in Harlem, Bryan studied at The Cooper Union art school and Columbia University. After serving in World War II, he studied art and traveled to Europe and Africa, which inspired him to retell and illustrate African folktales including Beat the Story Drum, Pum-Pum (Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration) and Lion and Ostrich Chicks (Coretta Scott King Honor Book). In 1990, he received the Arbuthnot Prize, a prestigious international award given to recognize lifetime achievement in children’s literature. His recent books include Sing to the Sun (Parents' Choice Award, 1992), an illustrated collection of his own poetry, and Ashley Bryan's ABC of African-American Poetry (1997).
Additional Conference/Art Series Guests:
Andy Offutt Irwin is a storyteller, humorist, singer, songwriter and musician. His performances for children combine songs and stories with a touch of Southern sass. An extraordinary mimic and whistler, Irwin incorporates those talents into his shows. His fun – and funny – storytelling albums have earned numerous accolades and awards including a “Storytelling World” award. A four-time performer at the National Storytelling Festival, Irwin has also been a keynote speaker/performer at the LIrbary of Congress-Virburnum Foundation Conference on Family Literacy.
Puppeteer and performer David Goboff launched his own puppet company, Simply Puppets, as a platform for performing with his wife Debbie and daughter Lauren. Goboff has performed and run puppet workshops in schools, libraries, museums and private homes throughout South Florida. He is currently president of the Puppet Guild of South Florida.
The joint conference is sponsored by the Friends of Fort Lauderdale Libraries, the Friends of the African-American Research Library & Cultural Center and the Broward Public Library Foundation. Presenters’ books and CDs will be available for sale and signing. Books & Books will be the book vendor for the conference.
You may register online for the 25th Annual Conference on Children’s Literature and the Tenth Annual Ashley Bryan Art Series. For more information, please contact Loria Hyatt at 954-357-7336, lhyatt@browardlibrary.org.
The award-winning Broward County Libraries Division, founded in 1974, is the ninth largest library system in the nation by population served and one of the busiest, with more than 9 million walk-in customers visiting its 37 locations annually. The library has more than 3.4 million items and 2,000 computers for public use and offers hundreds of events and programs to meet the needs of the Broward County's diverse community. The library continues its strong emphasis on literacy, after-school programs and electronic access. In addition to our comprehensive Web site, www.broward.org/library, which provides information about library activities, links to online catalogs, reference information and databases, customers can visit BCL WoW – Broward County Library Without Walls – for free eBooks, music, audiobooks, apps and more. Customers may also follow Libraries on Facebook and Twitter. Libraries Division also administers the services, programs, collections and exhibits of the Historical Commission.
|