MILLER COLLEGE HOSTS BOOK SIGNING WITH DAVID SMALL, SARAH STEWART AND OTHER LOCAL AUTHORS

On March 16th Miller College will host a book sale and signing featuring author and illustrator, David Small, with wife and author, Sarah Stewart, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Miller College’s campus, 450 North Avenue, in Battle Creek. Books will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of Barnes and Noble Booksellers of Battle Creek. In addition, Lowry Books of Three Rivers will be available with reprints of Small’s internationally recognized artwork.

A published poet and lifelong diarist, Sarah Stewart is the author of five acclaimed children's books - The Money Tree, The Library, The Gardener, The Journey, and The Friend (all illustrated by David Small). The Library and The Gardener are best sellers, popular with both children and adults. In June 2007 Sarah was named recipient of the 2007 Michigan Author Award.

David Small's books have been translated into several languages, made into animated films and musicals, and have won many of the top awards accorded to illustration, including the 1997 Caldecott Honor and The Christopher Medal for “The Gardener” written by his wife, Sarah Stewart, and the 2001 Caldecott Medal for “So, You Want To Be President?” by Judith St. George. To date he has illustrated over 40 picture books.

Other local authors will also be on site autographing and selling their own books.

Sisters, Amanda Andrews and Tracy Wendt:
“The Shenanigan’s of the Chartrueze Dragonfly & Sister Sassy Swine”, introduces the reader to friends with alliterative tales that will strengthen children’s alphabet recognition and broaden their vocabulary. This alphabet book is filled with stories that are woven with colorful illustrations that will capture the attention and imagination of children of all ages.

Chad Lampert:
“Little Book of Hot Rods”, is a 32 page, soft cover rhyming picture book with colorful illustrations of hot rods. Readers of all ages will want to flip through all the pages and enjoy the picture and word association.

Buffy Silverman:
Bats are blind. An old dog can't learn new tricks. The early bird catches the worm. A cat always lands on its feet. You may have heard some of these common sayings and beliefs. But are they really true? Can an Old Dog Learn New Tricks? and Other Questions About Animals explores which of these sayings are fact and which are fiction. The book is written by Buffy Silverman, author of twenty-five nonfiction books for children.

Lauri Hart:
"A Day in the Life of Nicholas B" written and illustrated by two cousins
from Michigan. The rhymes in this book offer a perfect read-aloud. The
story and bright illustrations encourage discussions about how imaginations
and believing in yourself can change difficult lives into happier ones.

The book signing event is one of several events that will wrap up the 2009/2010 Miller College Children’s Literature Project. At the start of the fall school year, nearly 1,000 3rd, 4th and 5th graders from Calhoun County and beyond began writing and illustrating books that were then entered into the writing and illustration contest. On March 17th, 30 students will be acknowledged for their efforts at an awards dinner, hosted by Miller College and featuring David Small and Sarah Stewart as guest speakers. For more information on this Project, please visit, www.millercollege.edu/learning_project.