On March 12-13 on the University of Arizona campus, there'll be lots of authors presenting at the third annual Tucson Festival of Books.
David Wiesner will be there. He has won three Caldecott Awards (the top award for a picture book each year) for his books "Tuesday" (1992), "The Three Little Pigs" (2002) and "Flotsam" (2007). His illustrations are beautiful, dreamlike and fun. Often, his illustrations tell a story all by themselves.
I was lucky enough to interview him for Bear Essential News. I asked him about his books and his work as an illustrator.
I wondered what he likes better: writing or illustrating. He told me that he doesn't really separate the two and that he views the pictures and words as different tools. A part of trying to tell the story is letting the pictures speak for themselves. Wiesner feels that it's all part of the storytelling process.
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I also asked him what message he wants to get out to his readers when they read or look at his books. He said, "I hope the humor comes across." He added that he hopes they will laugh, look around themselves at the world, use their imaginations and make connections that can lead to new thinking.
Wiesner said there are a lot of people who inspired him. But his high school art teacher encouraged him the most by letting him have the opportunity to explore freely as an artist. He also said author David Macaulay (author of "The Way Things Work") is an important mentor and friend.
Wiesner's latest book, "Art & Max," is a funny, colorful picture book about two lizards who are friends discovering wonderful things about themselves as they create art. It may just make you want to paint your own pictures. I have a feeling it's going to get kids interested in creating all kinds of art.
I encourage people to come see David Wiesner at this year's Tucson Festival of Books. Check out some of his books before March, and I guarantee you'll be excited to meet this wonderful author and illustrator. See his website at www.hmhbooks.com/wiesner
Happy reading, and I hope to see you at the book festival.
IF YOU GO
The Tucson Festival of Books will take place March 12 and 13 on the University of Arizona campus. Attendance and parking are free.
In addition to featuring hundreds of well-known authors, the event will offer workshops, children's activities, artists and entertainers, and lots of food.
The Tucson Festival of Books is sponsored by the UA and the Arizona Daily Star, and University Medical Center is the presenting sponsor.
Net proceeds will promote literacy in Southern Arizona through the Tucson Festival of Books Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
JOIN THE PROGRAM
The Arizona Daily Star partners with Bear Essential News and KVOA-TV, Channel 4, to promote literacy through journalism.
Students in grades three through eight can join the free program. Go online to www.bearessentialnews.com and click on "Young Reporters" to print sign-up forms.
