NapervilleREADS brings 14 authors, illustrators to town

As intimate as an author's relationship can become with the reader, many a book lover has fantasized about meeting and getting to know the writers behind their favorite works.

Thousands of Naperville schoolchildren and the public at-large will get the chance to make that dream a reality when 14 authors and illustrators visit Naperville on Wednesday, Dec. 7, for the 2016 edition of NapervilleREADS communitywide reading program.

The group of mostly children's authors will appear at 7 p.m. at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., where they'll give talks and participate in question-and-answer sessions, said Becky Anderson, event organizer. The theme is "United Through Story … What's Yours?" Admission is free.

Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 6 to 8, those same authors and illustrators will visit schools to talk about writing and literature, making a total of 37 presentations. This year, authors will visit all first and second grades in Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204 as well as at St. Raphael Catholic School, Anderson said.

Last year, authors visited fourth- and fifth-graders; next year, the focus will turn to middle school students with a highlight on mystery writers.

This year's authors represent an ethnically and racially diverse cross-section of society, Anderson said.

"For young children, it's great for them to see themselves (reflected in the authors' background)," she said. "It's for parents and kids to come and celebrate the diversity of our community."

Two winners of the prestigious Newberry Medal award are among those participating, Anderson said. Latino writer Matt de la Pena collaborated with African-American illustrator Christian Robinson to publish "Last Stop on Market Street," a picture book about a boy and his grandmother's bus ride and their recognition of beauty in the city streets.

Anderson said Kathryn Otoshi will be traveling from California to be part of the event. Otoshi illustrated a picture book written by Bret Baumgarten titled "Beautiful Hands."

And Bethany Hegedus, co-author of "Be the Change: A Grandfather Gandhi Story," will talk about her experiences writing about a young man learning about values and living in harmony with his fellow villagers.

Anderson said educators are invited to meet with authors and illustrators before the public program to discuss education from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Wentz.

The NapervilleREADS program is an annual communitywide effort to get people interested in reading. Launched in 2002, NapervilleREADS is a partnership between a nonprofit group called Jumping Off the Page, Naperville Unit District 203, Indian Prairie Unit District 204, the Naperville Public Library and Anderson's Bookshop.

Anderson said the events are partially funded by a Special Events Cultural Amenities grant from the city of Naperville.

"The idea is to unify the community around the joys of reading," Anderson said. "It will help children understand we're all different, but we're all the same, in so many ways."