Author's appearance launches Naperville Reads

Naperville Reads will be tapping into the creative side of children and young adults as the campaign begins in earnest Monday with a visit from author Brian Selznick.

"This is an extremely talented and creative guy," said Becky Anderson, owner of Anderson's Bookshop. "He can take a book and turn it into a theatrical experience. He's that cool."

The Caldecott-winning author of "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" will be appearing at 7 p.m. Monday at Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill St. Tickets are free.

During the event, Selznick will show fans how he put his book together, the influences he took from French cinema and how he got into art in the first place. He'll also stick around to take questions from the audience and sign autographs.

"I hope they take away an amazement for how illustration and words on a page can tell a story," Anderson said.

With 530 pages, the book can be intimidating at first glance, but the first 60 pages are illustrated. Anderson said she's never seen a book quite like it before and has found that it encourages children to read.

"Some kids are struggling with reading, but when looking at pictures they get so wrapped and drawn in they end up reading the whole thing and have a real sense of accomplishment when they finish," she said.

Selznick will be working with area fifth- and sixth-graders Monday and Tuesday as well.

Tickets for Selznick's appearance are available at Anderson's in downtown Naperville and at all three Naperville libraries.

The event is part of the Naperville Reads campaign, which began in 2002 to spark an interest in reading for residents of all ages. The program is a partnership among Anderson's, Naperville Public Library, Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204.

"We're getting people to read and be interested in books," Anderson said. "Every year, we change the focus and theme, and it's become a mainstay of what we do every year in the city."

This year's theme is "Unlock Your Mind."

Naperville Reads also will bring adult author Daniel Pink to town later this month. Pink is the author of "A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future."