New York Times Best Selling Children’s Book Author and Illustrator Featured at Region-Wide Events March 1-5
San Diego County CA— The recently launched ‘ART=OPPORTUNITY’ is continuing its work to program special events, summits and training for 2017 that address its focus on improving arts literacy. This March, Art = Opportunity initiative will present bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker and illustrator/collaborator Jon Klassen in San Diego for a series of workshops for educators and students, readings and school visits throughout the county.
Pennypacker’s recent children’s book, ‘Pax’ about the powerful relationship between a boy and his fox, has been named an Amazon Best Book of the Year and remains a New York Times Bestseller.
“Art = Opportunity Anchor Events are designed to illuminate and expand the concept of arts literacy,” explained Center ARTES Executive Director Merryl Goldberg. “We hope that by sharing the creative process of Sara and Jon with students, educators and aspiring writers and illustrators, we can help shine a light on the connection between art and literacy and inspire others.”
Professional development and learning events will take place over 4 days in various locations including CSU San Marcos, The New Children’s Museum, Chula Vista and Oceanside. For a complete schedule visit http://www.csusm.edu/artopp/
About the Authors
Sara Pennypacker is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of PAX, and seventeen more children’s books including the Waylon series, the Clementine series, Summer of the Gypsy Moths, Meet the Dullards, Pierre in Love, Sparrow Girl, and The Amazing World of Stuart. She has also contributed four books to the venerable Flat Stanley series. Her books have won numerous awards, including a Golden Kite Award and a Christopher’s Medal, many children’s choice state awards, and have appeared on many ‘Best Books’ lists. Often asked “why do you write for children” she explains first, books can make a profound difference to a young reader: they can either mirror his experience or they can open up a whole different path.
Jon Klassen was born in Winnipeg Manitoba, and grew up in Southern Ontario, Canada. He works as an author/illustrator of picture books, as well as for animated projects. He has written and illustrated three picture books—I Want My Hat Back, This Is Not My Hat and We Found a Hat. Jon has illustrated books written by other people, too—most recently Pax, by Sara Pennypacker. He has worked as an illustrator/designer at Dreamworks and Laika Studios, and as an art director on smaller scale animated projects that include the BBC and Google. Awards include the Caldecott medal for This Is Not My Hat, and the Governor’s General Award for Cats’ Night Out. He lives and works in Los Angeles.
The Art = Opportunity Literacy Residency is funded by The Stuart Foundation, Panta Rhea Foundation, and California State University San Marcos IRA fund (Instructional Related Activities).