Taking 'Artemis Fowl' nationwide

On the eve of the release of the sixth Artemis Fowl book, a giant bus is gassed up and ready to begin the journey across the North American continent, beginning with a stop at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove.

"We are taking the show around the U.S. in a huge Artemis bus - so hopefully I can connect with more Artemis fans than ever," said Eoin Colfer, author of the wildly popular children's adventure series, in an e-mail to the Daily Herald. "It will be an exciting three weeks."

The new book, published by Hyperion, a Disney imprint, picks up the young criminal mastermind's story as he embarks on a lifesaving mission that involves magic and temporal challenges.

"'The Time Paradox,' as the title suggests, is about a trip through time," said Colfer. "Artemis must journey into the past to find a cure for his ill mother. The problem is that he is not the only one after this cure - there are some crazy humans and mad fairies after it, too."

Colfer will unveil a few tantalizing secrets about the book while presenting a show titled, "Fairies, Fiends and Flatulence," a program aimed at exploring the roots of Colfer's characters, many of which can be traced to his own childhood in Ireland.

An identically titled show was presented by Colfer, who currently lives in Ireland with his wife and two children, in January at North Central College in Naperville. The best-selling author has traversed the Atlantic Ocean more than once to reach his fan base in the States.

This show will share some features with the January appearance but, because it's partially improvised, it's bound to serve up fresh material for returning audience members.

"It is the same general show - but even though I follow a script and visual presentation - every show is different, mostly due to audience participation as you can never tell what questions the kids will ask," Colfer said.

The show sold out for its run in London's West End. After Tuesday's show in Downers Grove, the Artemis bus will take Colfer and his entourage to the LaGrange Theater in LaGrange for a Wednesday evening performance, then on to dates in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Texas and New York.

The Tivoli date was arranged by Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville. Anderson's also brought Colfer to Naperville last winter.

"We're presenting it at the Tivoli. We've had quite a few events over there," said Anderson's spokeswoman Candy Purdom. "It's a beautiful theater. The actors just love it. It's an old vaudeville theater."

"I have not seen the theater but I have heard it is a lovely spot so I am looking forward to working in it," said Colfer. "Nervous, too, of course."

"The Time Paradox" hits shelves in the U.S. on Tuesday; it will be released later in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Fifty bookstores across America will host a live simulcast, presented by Disney, of the Downers Grove show.

Tickets for the Tivoli show are available at Anderson's locations in Naperville and Downers Grove.

If you go

What: Eoin Colfer, author of "Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox," presents "Fairies, Fiends and Flatulence"

Where: Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday Tickets: $5 with the purchase of a $17.99 copy of "The Time Paradox;" includes allowance for purchase of one additional ticket, without a book, for $10

Info: (630) 355-2665, (630) 963-2665, eoincolfer.com or andersonsbookshop.com