Naperville READS celebrates graphic novels in December

Local educators, librarians and independent booksellers are ready to launch Naperville READS 2015, celebrating the works of 19 graphic artists - 18 aimed for young readers and one for adult readers. It's the largest group of featured guests ever for Naperville READS.

The 2015 community reading initiative will feature the graphic artists, who are coming en masse to Naperville in December. This year's theme is "Go Graphic," and presentations and other activities tied to the citywide program will explore that general concept.

Events will provide opportunities for thousands of young readers to share their reading experiences and enhance their understanding of the featured books.

The public event for young readers is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Free tickets are available at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville; online at eventbrite.com (search for "Naperville READS"); or at any Naperville Public Library location or the Eola Road Branch of the Aurora Public Library.

Naperville READS 2015 will celebrate Kazu Kibuishi ("Amulet #6: Escape from Lucien"); Mark Tatulli ("Desmond Puckett and the Mountain Full of Monsters" and "Desmond Puckett Makes Monster Magic"); Judd Winick ("Hilo #1: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth"); Dana Simpson ("Phoebe and Her Unicorn: Unicorn on a Roll"); Art Baltazar (Itty Bitty Comics); Nathan Hale ("Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: The Underground Abductors"); Chris Giarrusso ("The G-Man Super Journal: Awesome Origins"); Victoria Jamieson ("Roller Girl"); Tom Watson ("Stick Dog Dreams of Ice Cream"); Josh Elder ("Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure"); Mike Maihack ("The Thief and the Sword"); Chris Schweizer ("The Creeps #1: Night of the Frankenfrogs"); Frank Cammuso ("The Misadventures of Salem Hyde #5: Frozen Fiasco"); Trevor Pryce ("Amphibians' End"); Maris Wicks ("Human Body Theater"); Eric Colossal ("Rutabaga the Adventure Chef #1"); Matt Phelan ("Around the World"); and Neil Swaab ("The Secrets to Ruling School").

The graphic artists will be sharing their talents at schools throughout the city. Each is assigned to a panel, and each panel of three graphic artists will circulate to six different schools. Community members will have an opportunity to see the graphic artists and hear more about their books and their passion for children's literature.

All fourth- and fifth-grade students in both Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204 will take part in these targeted events. The schedule was built with the idea of allowing the most children to meet these talented authors/graphic artists.

The 2015 adult Naperville READS author is Randall Munroe, who will conduct a free public event at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Free tickets are available at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville.

Munroe shares his book, "Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words." Clear line drawings and straightforward language help explain advanced concepts.

Munroe is the author of The New York Times best-seller "What If?," the science Q&A blog by the same name and the popular webcomic xkcd. He's a former NASA roboticist who left the agency nearly a decade ago to devote himself to drawing comics on the web full time.

As the date approaches, participants may keep up-to-date on Naperville READS events via the program's website, napervillereads.org.

Naperville READS 2015 is a partnership between Jumping Off the Page, Anderson's Bookshop, Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204, in addition to the featured publishers.

For information, call Anderson's Bookshop at (630) 355-2665 or visit andersonsbookshop.com.