Best-selling Author/Illustrator Jan Brett Visits the Library Dec. 5
November 28, 2014 — Best-selling author and illustrator Jan Brett has a fan base that would make a rock star envious. Eight-year-olds bring their drawings to her book signings. Nine-year-olds aspire to be her. Thousands of fans follow her blog on janbrett.com.
On Dec. 5, they’ll get to meet the Massachusetts-based author at the Library Center. It’s part of Brett’s 23-city tour to promote her newest book, “The Animals’ Santa.” She’ll roll into Springfield in her touring bus wrapped with the book’s cover art. Her 5 p.m. talk will include a drawing demonstration – bring a pencil and follow along, she says. She’ll begin signing books at 5:30 p.m.
Brett invites children to bring their own drawings so she can give them the kind of adult recognition that encouraged her as a child. Rather than take the art as gifts, “I would like to admire them, and let (the children) keep them and have a record of something they did that I admired; that was recognized.”
Jan Brett has enchanted children and their parents for over 30 years with some 35 books. Among her best-loved are “The Hat” and “The Mitten.” Her hallmark: intricate illustrations inspired by her worldwide travels and research of the costumes and folk tales of other cultures.
Since children are among her biggest fans, the Springfield-Greene County Library District invited some of them to interview her with their own questions. Jan Brett happily obliged.
Elise Summers, 9, asks: “What is your favorite part of being an author?”
Brett: “My favorite part … is when I work at night and get lost in a drawing, and all of a sudden I realize it’s time to go to bed. And when I wake up the next day, it looks almost like elves have done it! I think it’s because what I’m doing kind of takes over and I’m not analyzing every step. …I think a lot of writers experience that.”
Elise asks: “Out of all the books you have written and illustrated, which one is your favorite?”
Brett: “If I had to take the books I’ve done and say I can’t choose the one I’m (currently) working on, I would say probably the ‘The Three Snow Bears. …I love the Goldilocks story because it’s really about curiosity. When you’re 6, you’re always thrust into new situations. As you get older you have to keep forcing yourself to keep doing that – have different experiences.”
Monica Henry and Kennedy Norman, both 8: “How do you come up with your characters?” and “Why do you have animals in each book?”
Brett: “I have always loved animals and I’ve always tried to imagine what they’re thinking. …I think using animals is a tradition in storytelling because it takes us a little step away from the real problems we have to solve in life. They’re ‘everyman.’ Animals are easier to empathize with.”
Monica also asks: “Do you have a pet?”
Brett: “I have over 100 chickens that are mothers, fathers and uncles, and lots of ones I raise and sell them – they’re exhibit chickens – and I have ducks for fun – 13 ducks, and one bunny.”
Like many of her fans, Brett began drawing in childhood. She says she hopes to encourage the next generation of book illustrators during her Springfield visit.
“It’s so easy when you’re little to think that it’s all been done and you have to learn how to do it,” she says. “I ask them to look at their finger or thumb and look at all the lines in their skin and fingerprint, and how we all have different ones (from each other.) Everyone can take the same lesson on how to draw, but each (result) will be different, and how special that is.”
Want To Go?
Author/illustrator Jan Brett will visit the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell Ave., on Friday, Dec. 5.
Here’s the schedule of events:
- 2-8 p.m. – Book sales, concourse
- 4-5 p.m. – Photos with Jan Brett and mascot Hedgie, outside and concourse
- 5-5:20 p.m. – Book talk and drawing demonstration, center floor
- 5:30 p.m. – Book signing, auditorium
- 5:30-7 p.m. – Children’s activities, Story Hour Room
The kids-only Holiday Store will open for a preview sale 4-8 p.m. in rooms A and B.
Want to know more? Jan Brett’s website www.janbrett.com includes her blog, coloring sheets, book information and more than 2,000 pages of free activities that parents and teachers can download for class activities.