Arne Nixon Center

M.T. Anderson is FINALLY HERE in Fresno, CA!

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 18:29:00 +0000

Award-winning young adult author
M.T. Anderson will speak tonight,
Friday October 5, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at the
Woodward Branch Library. The event is open
to the public. Please RSVP at 559-278-8116 or at jcrow@csufresno.edu.

Created by Simon & Schuster, a book trailer for Jasper Dash and the Flame-Pits of Delaware! This video clip was extracted from M.T. Anderson's official website at:
http://mt-anderson.com/

M. T. Anderson to speak on October 5, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:45:00 +0000

The public is invited to a talk by award-winning author M. T. Anderson. Anderson will speak for the Arne Nixon Center Advocates (ANCA) annual meeting on Friday, October 5, at the Woodward Park Branch Library, 944 East Perrin Avenue, in northeast Fresno. A catered reception for the author will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the talk to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Anderson has written many books for young people, including picture books for children, series books for middle grade readers, and novels for teens and adults. His science fiction satire Feed was a finalist for the National Book Award and was the winner of the L.A. Times Book Prize. Set in a futuristic dystopian society where consumers receive internet advertising and entertainment programming wired directly into their brains, Feed provides a thought-provoking look at a consumer society where addled minds and inarticulate tongues are the norm.

Anderson received additional accolades for his two-part historical fiction series “The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation.” Volume one, The Pox Party, won the National Book Award and The Boston Globe—Horn Book Prize. That volume and the second, The Kingdom on the Waves, were Printz Honor Books.

ANCA supports the work of the Center, including its many projects, events, and exhibits through its fund raising efforts. ANCA President Denise Sciandra will preside over a brief business meeting before the talk. If you would like to become an ANCA member, please see our electronic membership form at www.arnenixoncenter.org/help/helpform.shtml or email the Center at arne.nixon.center@gmail.com.

Anderson’s books will be available for purchase and signing at the meeting. Parking for the event is free. There is no charge for admission, but reservations are required by calling 559.278.8116 or by emailing jcrow@csufresno.edu by October 1.

2012 Wild About Books Winners Announced!

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 19:50:00 +0000

This summer the Arne Nixon Center came together with local television station Channel 47, A Book Barn Bookstore in Clovis, All Signs Printing, and Petunia’s Place Bookstore for Children to present a writing and illustration contest for young people. The contest, Wild About Books, encouraged students from third to twelfth grades to creatively express themselves through writing and illustration. Channel 47’s Zara Arboleda and Jenny Toste drove home the message by hosting local authors on their early morning show, several of which had begun their own writing careers inspired by such contests. Doug Hansen, Bonnie Hearn Hill, Michael Elsohn Ross, Dorina Lazo Gilmore, and Joan Schoettler were some of the children’s authors that appeared every Thursday morning throughout May and June. President Welty also lent his support by taping a public service announcement with Arboleda which aired until the contest’s entry deadline on July 1^st.

The contest consisted of four categories: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and illustration, with all submissions required to contain a reference to books. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winning entrants at a celebration to be held in early December. In addition to the prizes, Linden Publishing has generously offered to publish an anthology of the winning pieces which will be given to each winner. Additional anthologies will be for sale, with the proceeds going towards next year’s contest prizes. Listed below are the winners in all divisions and categories. Grand prize winners will be announced.

Congratulations!

Division A: Grades 3-5

Fiction
1^st Prize                              “Stegy Goes to the Fresno State Library”, by Sammy Iliff
Honorable Mention             "’Secret’" Reading in my Dollhouse”, by Katie Boyles
Honorable Mention             “Duke the Very Special Dog”, by Elyse Brewer
Non-Fiction
1^st Prize         “Why I Love the Baseball Card Adventure Series”, by Quaid Copher
Poetry
1^st Prize                                      “Caught”, by Zeke Fuller
Illustration
1^st Prize                                      The Floating Castles, by Malcolm Church
Honorable Mention      The Sea Monster of the Ocean of Flying Fishes, by Hazel Koh
Honorable Mention              Adventure Time, by Kaden Johnson

Division B: Grades 6-8

Fiction

1^st Prize “Codexia”, by Maya Vannin

Honorable Mention “The Wolves Before Time”, by Tessa Nelson

Honorable Mention “Ella's Adventures in Wonderland”, by Ragon Nichols

Non-Fiction

1^st Prize “That's What Best Friends Are For”, by Gwyneth Phagnasay Le

Honorable Mention “Revolutionary National Holiday”’, by Simon Cao

Poetry

1^st Prize “Wild About Books”, by J. J. Sutton

Honorable Mention “In Time”, by Bret Moran

Honorable Mention “The Hidden Beast”, by Serena Tang

Illustration

1^st Prize Fireworks at Dusk, by Tyra Holly

Honorable Mention Smaug, by Ezekiel J. Benavides

Honorable Mention The Wolves Before Time, by Tessa Nelson

Division C: Grades 9-12

Fiction

1^st Prize                                      “Charlie's Portal”’ by Valerie Campos
Honorable Mention              “The Hypocritical Antics of Mr. Smothers”, by Graeme Merrow
Honorable Mention              “The Book Jumper”, by Jessica Rinehart
Non-Fiction
1^st Prize                              “My Journey to the River Sea”, by Madelyn Knutson
Honorable Mention                “Manifesting Destiny”, by Natasha Velaquez
Honorable Mention                     “Swift's Proposal”, by William Tang
Poetry
1^st Prize                               “Book Lover An Acrostic Poem”, by Claire Copher
Honorable Mention                    “The Reality”, by Andrew W. Hollender
Honorable Mention             “My Strange Dreams”, by William Tang
Illustration
1^st Prize                                            Hungry Dog, by Treshon Holly

The World of Costume Dolls and Wooden Toys

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 23:16:00 +0000

On behalf of the Arne Nixon Center, we thank Karin and Robert Larka for their generous donation of Russian costume dolls and wood carved toys.

Viewhere:Karin and Robert Larka Collection

Invitational visits to the Soviet Union offered Arne Nixon the opportunity to enrich lives of those around the world. He shared stories to children and made presentations to university groups, Soviet Publishers, editors, and others who worked with children’s literature. These items were purchased by the Larka family while traveling with Arne Nixon and Karin Sabul. Ms. Sabul, from Tallinn, Estonia, was their tour guide during a trip to Russia in 1987.

Included in this donation are 21 Bogorodskoe Wood Carved Toys.

Bogorodskoe Wood Carving is a folk craft of carved toys and sculpture from soft wood—linden, alder, and aspen. It has existed in the village of Bogorodskoe (presently located in Zagorsk Raion, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation) probably since the 16th or 17th century. In the beginning of the 20th century the master craftsmen united into an artel known as the Bogorodskoe Engraver from 1923; in 1960 it was transformed into the Bogorodskoe Factory of Artistic Wood Carving. There is a professional technical school. Until the end of the 19th century Bogorodskoe wood carving preserved the traditional technique of shallow cuts, which revealed only the necessary details for the characterization of personages in the figurines of people and animals and moving toys (“bobbers,” “blacksmiths,” and so on). These details were often emphasized with bright painting. At the turn of the 20th century, the technique of cutting was replaced by more detailed working of the figures, which are then assembled into compositions and daily scenes on themes from fables, fairy tales, popular prints, poems, and, in Soviet times, from contemporary events and history as well.

Masters of Bogorodskoe wood carving include F. S. Balaev, A. G. Chushkin, V. S. Zinin, I. K. Stulov, M. A. Pronin, and M. F. Barinov.

Vasilenko, V. M. Russkaia narodnaia rez’ba i ros’pis po derevu XVIII-XX vv. Moscow, 1960.

Journey to Your Imagination's Destination!

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:31:00 +0000

Today Barnes and Noble launches 16th Annual Summer Reading Program!

Identify your favorite authors and illustrators
Explore different genres of literature
Imagine yourself in a historical or fictional characters role

Design a summer vacation related to your books destination

and more.......

Read eight books this summer, submit your reading journal
and receive one book FREE!

Enjoy the Scholastic Discover More Series!

Weasles, wolves and owls........

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:46:00 +0000

A Beautiful Tribute to Jean Craighead George.
Walk with us as we reminisce.

Margarita Engle: Author put Fresno on the literary map.

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:53:00 +0000

Fresno's best-known children's author is making book news around the world. Actually, Margarita Engle lives in Clovis, but we can proudly claim her on behalf of the area. Since 2006 she has published seven books for young people, many reflecting her family history.

In 1947, Margarita's father, an American artist, read a "National Geographic" article about the city of Trinidad, on Cuba's southern coast. He went there to paint and met a beautiful Cuban artist. Neither spoke the other's language, but art and love conquered differences and they were married. Their daughter Margarita grew up in Los Angeles, but spent summers with her mother's large family in Cuba. Later, travel restrictions kept them apart, but by that time, childhood memories and a curiosity about Cuban history were deeply ingrained.

In college, Margarita gave up writing to study agronomy and botany. After teaching agronomy at Cal State Pomona, she returned to writing with an enhanced perspective and a new mentor, Chicano author Tomás Rivera.

Her novels in verse present vivid pictures of a Cuba filled with tropical birds, fragrant plants, exotic sounds and tastes, and above all with feelings that bring the people and the country to life.

"The Poet Slave of Cuba" tells of Juan Francisco Manzano, born a slave in 1797. Though slaves are forbidden to read and write, he learns how. This intelligent boy is kept as a pet by a rich woman, who makes him recite for guests. His story is almost too sad to read, but Margarita always offers a sense of hope, in this case his adult success as a poet.

Her second book, "The Surrender Tree," set in 1896 during Cuba's revolution against Spain, features a nurse who is an escaped slave. She heals people from both sides using medicinal plants. The book won a Newbery Honor from the American Library Association; Margarita is the first Hispanic author to receive such recognition.

"Tropical Secrets," tells the story of 13-year-old Daniel, who escapes Nazi Germany on a ship filled with Jewish refugees. When the United States turns the boat away, it sails to Havana. There a Cuban girl helps Daniel to learn Spanish and a new way of life.

"The Firefly Letters," my favorite of Margarita's books, is based on the real life of Frederika Bremer, a Swedish biologist who visited Cuba in 1851. A pregnant teenage slave serves as her interpreter, speaking English and Spanish. The third character, a wealthy girl, has less freedom than either of the other two.
"Summer Birds," a picture book, features Maria Merian, born in Germany in 1647. At age 13, she discovered that butterflies grew from caterpillars, rather than springing from mud, as people believed then.
"Hurricane Dancers" describes some Cubans' first encounters with the Spanish, again through the eyes of a bilingual slave.

Margarita's newest heroine, in "The Wild Book," is based on her grandmother, who was dyslexic as a child and who lived to be 103. The author knew her well.

Margarita's books have won Pura Belpré, Jane Addams and Américas awards, to name a few. She has been honored by the International Reading Association, the Library of Congress, and the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany. Next month she will be a featured speaker at the Asian Festival of Children's Content in Singapore.

Her books have universal appeal for all ages. This bilingual author, who receives little notice in her home town, is bringing honor to Fresno. Viva, Margarita!

Valley Voice: Saturday, May. 05, 2012 | 12:00 AM

By Angelica Carpenter, Curator Emerita for the Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature,
Henry Madden Library, California State University, Fresno

Annual Children's Literature Association ~ June 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:56:00 +0000

Thursday, June 14, 2012:
Literary Slipstreams:
39th Annual Children’s Literature Association Conference
Simmons College

Annual Children's Literature Association

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:43:00 +0000

Maurice Sendak 1928 ~ 2012

But the wild things cried, "Oh please don't go — we'll eat you up — we love you so!" From Where The Wild Things Are, 1983. We welcome you to visit our reading library. Pull up a chair and reminisce with our broad collection of Maurice Sendaks' creative spirit published in books, posters, stage productions, storyboards and more! Enjoy the beloved author and curmudgeon as he shares his thoughts in classic Sendak style and colorful language. Watch the HBO Documentary "Tell Them Anyting You Want." A Portrait of Maurice Sendak.

In addition, a wonderful review of the artists' life by The New York Times. Times Article: May 9, 2012

Collection includes signed editions by author.


Part of the collection of Maurice Sendak located.

Wild About Books: Interview by CBS47 Fresno, CA

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:24:00 +0000

Thank you Zara Arboleda, CBS 47, for the opportunity to share the news of the contest "Wild About Books!"

Jennifer Crow, Interim Curator at The Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature, announced the contest details this morning on CBS 47.

Enjoy the interview here. CBS47, Fresno, CA Interview with Jennifer Crow

One of many sponsors of the contest , CBS 47 encouraged students to participate and become part of the Central Valley's rich culture of authors and illustrators.

'Wild About Books' is a writing contest for children between 3rd and 12th grade.The contest will award prizes for writing and illustrating.

Prizes will be awarded for grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 and range from $25 to $100.

The contest is open to students in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Tulare Counties.

Entry forms can be picked up at the CBS47 Studios at 4880 N. Fist Street in Fresno, A Book Barn at 640 Clovis Avenue in Clovis, Arne Nixon Center for Children's Literature, Madden Library at Fresno State, and all Fresno County Public Libraries.

Contest details, guidelines and permission form accesible online by clicking here.

Womack Lecture: FAIR Education Act

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:53:00 +0000

Jennifer Crow, Interim Curator at the Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature
welcomes Dr. Robert McGarry, Shelbi Day and Lee Wind.

Three panelists presented to an engaged audience at the Henry Madden Library on Wednesday evening, May 1, 2012. Each speaker presented experienced, informative and varying perspectives regarding the FAIR Education Act.

Shelbi Day, staff attorney in the Western Regional Office of Lambda Legal, did a great job at explaining the law behind the Act and the reasons for the Act. Her passion on the topic and willingness to translate the evolution of the law with a non - lawyer audience created understanding and awareness.

In addition, Dr. Robert McGarry, director of education for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, was a wonderful speaker, centering his talk on the value of respecting difference.. His message reflected the impact on students when people are left out of the textbooks in describing our history.

And finally, Dr. Lee Wind, author, speaker, and official blogger for the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators was a brilliant speaker as well. His ability to engage with the audience, get us to interact and bring the program around full-circle was a successful effort towards a content rich event. He brought humor, love, and pizzazz into this very serious FAIR Education Act topic.

Audience questions were welcomed and discussed. And appreciation was experienced for all speakers, who have experienced and seen such difficult and even negative events in their lives and careers but continue to approach this serious FAIR Education Act topic with passion and a positive manner.

Thank you again to all our speakers for your contributions to an EXCELLENT lecture event!

To view more photos of this event Womack Lecture: FAIR Education Act Panel

Contest: Student Writers and Illustrators!

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:36:00 +0000

Student Writing and Illustration Contest:
Submissions accepted from June 1 - July 1, 2012.
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a published author or illustrator? Now’s your chance! If you are a student in grades 3 - 12 and have a passion for fiction, non-fiction, poetry or illustration, let the juices flow and submit your creation! Choose any subject related to books. Entry and permission forms including award details may be downloaded from www.cvyoungwritersprize.com OR may be picked up at the following locations: A Book Barn, 640 Clovis Avenue, Clovis, California, Fresno County Library ( any branch ), Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature, and KGPE CBS 47, 4880 N. First St., Fresno, California

Panel Discussion: FAIR Education Act

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:14:00 +0000

Join us on Tuesday, 5/1. The Printise J. Womack Lecture endowment, the Henry Madden Library, and the Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature invite everyone to attend a panel discussion on the FAIR (Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, Respectful) Education Act. The discussion will be held from 7 – 9 p.m. in the Henry Madden Library, Room 2206.
Our guest lecturers will discuss the FAIR Education Act, presenting information about the law’s impact, curriculum development, and implementation in the schools.
Panelist include Lee Wind, M.Ed. Blogger, author and speaker, Wind holds a master’s degree in Education and Media from Harvard, Robert McGarry, Ed.D. Director of Education for GLSEN—the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, and Shelbi Day. Staff Attorney in the Western Regional Office of Lambda Legal.

Secret Garden Party 2012 Honors Authors

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:03:00 +0000

Sunday, April 15, 2012,
Arne Nixon Center of Study for Children's Literature honors authors Alma Flora Ada and
F. Isabel Campoy.

( F. Isabel Campoy, Author, Jennifer Crow, Interim Curator and Alma Flora Ada, Author)

To view more photos of this event, visit the Center's web album: Secret Garden Party 2012

Angelica Carpenter's Retirement

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 22:40:00 +0000

At the end of 2011, Angelica Carpenter, curator of the Arne Nixon Center decided to retire. Angelica has been with the Center since its conception and she has worked to make the Arne Nixon Center one of the most significant children's literature research centers in the country.

Below is the last Curator's Corner article that Angelica wrote in The Magic Mirror (Spring 2012). To view the complete newsletter, visit our website.

Greetings from a recent retiree with a new title, Curator Emerita. It was a difficult decision to retire at the end of 2011, as I absolutely loved my job, which I consider to be the best in the world. However it could be tiring (largely because I make it that way) and I was ready for a rest and a change.

So now when I am at the Library, I’m there as a patron instead of a librarian. I’m writing a new biography for young adults, about Matilda Joslyn Gage, who was L. Frank Baum’s mother-in-law. That’s how she came onto my radar, through my interest in Baum and Oz, but she was a famous feminist and author in her own right. After she was widowed she spent winters with the Baums—her daughter Maud, Maud’s husband Frank, and their four sons. She encouraged Frank to write down the stories he told his sons, and to submit the to a publisher. I don’t think that it is a coincidence that Baum’s Oz is a feminist utopia, ruled by women.

The Henry Madden Library is a terrific resource for authors. Before moving here, I wrote three books in a Florida city with minimal library resources. In Fresno I wrote two more, a much easier task with access to an outstanding academic library. My habit of writing about Victorians means that I need to read many books published in the Victorian era. It always surprises me how many of these are in the Madden collection. And if they are not, I can get them through Interlibrary Loan. A million books, dazzling databases, and specialist librarians who have helped me to track down all kinds of elusive information (like what year did bustles go out of style?)—research is fun here and wonderfully productive. While writing this book, I will stay involved with the Arne Nixon Center, as a volunteer and a Life Member of ANCA.

I have also signed up to FERP, as part of the Faculty Early Retirement Program, starting next fall. This program allows retired faculty members to work part-time. My plan is to catalog, or help with exhibitions, or process the papers of authors or illustrators, or to do anything else that is needed. But not full-time and not early in the morning!

It’s a wonderful job when you get to do anything you can dream of. If anyone had told me, when I was eight years old, that someday I would get to put on a national Oz conference, my daughter says that I would have started planning it right then.

My plans were not accomplished alone—they involved the help and support of many other people, in and out of the Library. I thank all of you for taking my wild ideas seriously.

The Library plans a national search to fill my job. In the meantime, the Arne Nixon Center will be led by Jennifer Crow, who is already working on some interesting new projects. My email will still be the same — angelica@csufresno.edu — and I look forward to hearing from friends and colleagues as I continue to work in children’s literature, in a slightly new capacity.

Happy reading!

A few celebratory pictures from Angelica's retirement party in December 2011:

Exhibition and Events Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:49:00 +0000

Leonard Marcus presentation

ANCA Annual Meeting that was held on Sept. 16 was also the opening reception for Arne Nixon Center's exhibition 'Down the Rabbit Hole with Lewis Carroll and Leonard Weisgard'. Guest speaker Leonard Marcus was excellent in his presentation of Leonard Weisgard's arts and contributions to the children's literature field.

Among the highlights of the evening are special guests Abby and Chrissy Weisgard daughters of Leonard Weisgard, and a rousing presentation as Mad Hatter by Peter McDonald, Henry Madden Library's Dean.

Here are some pictures from the event:

Peter McDonald as Mad Hatter

Leonard Marcus signing session

Abby Weisgard and Angelica Carpenter

Alice in Wonderland-themed cookie

The 'Down the Rabbit Hole with Lewis Carroll and Leonard Weisgard' exhibition in the Henry Madden Library was open to the public from September 16 - October 26, 2011.

More than 4000 people came to visit the exhibit that displayed Lewis Carroll materials from the Arne Nixon Center’s extensive collection, including original art by Leonard Weisgard for his 1949 edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.

Also on display were other materials on loan including original Leonard Weisgard arts on loan from his family, original Alice-themed art by Charles M. Schulz for his “Peanuts” comic strip (loaned by the Charles M. Schulz Museum), anamorphic Alice bronze sculptures loaned by artist Karen Mortillaro, original art loaned by author/illustrator Byron Sewell, and original Lewis Carrol materials loaned by Mark Burstein.

The 9th IBBY Regional Conference: Peace The World Together With Children's Books, held on Oct. 21-23, provides a unique opportunity for teachers, librarians, and other readers to experience the world of international children's and young adult literature and serve as the closing event for our exhibition.

The three day conference was filled with many events including key-note speakers such as Pam Munoz Ryan, Grace Lin, Adwoa Badoe, and many more; discussion groups and post-conference tours to the Shinzen Garden and Yosemite National Park.

To view more photos of these events, visit Arne Nixon Center's web album: http://picasaweb.google.com/arne.nixon.center

Leonard Marcus in Fresno on Sept. 16

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:31:00 +0000

The annual meeting of ANCA, the Arne Nixon Center Advocates, will be held Friday, September 16, 2011, with a talk by Leonard Marcus. This event will mark the opening of the Arne Nixon Center’s exhibition “Down the Rabbit Hole with Lewis Carroll and Leonard Weisgard.”

Leonard Marcus

The program, to be held at the Henry Madden Library on the campus of California State University, Fresno, will feature a 6:00 p.m. reception, followed by a talk at 7:00 by Leonard Marcus, entitled “Revolution in 32 Pages: How Leonard Weisgard and Friends Re-Invented the American Picture Book.” Special guests will include Abby and Christina Weisgard, daughters of Leonard Weisgard, who are coming from their homes in Denmark to attend.

Leonard Marcus is a renowned author, children's book expert, and historian. He has written many highly acclaimed books about children's literature and the authors and artists who create it, including Margaret Wise Brown and Ursula Nordstrom. His lavishly illustrated Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children's Hearts, Changed Publishing Forever, and Became an American Icon Along the Way was published to commemorate the 65^th anniversary of Little Golden Books. The author’s books will be available for sale and autographing courtesy of Petunia’s Place bookstore.

Although there is no charge for admission, seating is limited and reservations are required, by calling 559.278.8116 or sending e-mail to mrianto@csufresno.edu.

“Down the Rabbit Hole with Lewis Carroll and Leonard Weisgard”

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:25:00 +0000

Alice and Cat
by Leonard Weisgard

The Arne Nixon Center at California State University, Fresno, will offer two coordinating exhibitions in the Henry Madden Library from September 16 - October 26, 2011.

The second-floor Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery will display Lewis Carroll materials from the Arne Nixon Center’s extensive collection, including original art by Leonard Weisgard for his 1949 edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Materials on loan will include original Alice-themed art by Charles M. Schulz for his “Peanuts” comic strip (loaned by the Charles M. Schulz Museum), anamorphic Alice bronze sculptures loaned by artist Karen Mortillaro, and original art loaned by author/illustrator Byron Sewell.

The third-floor Pete P. Peters Ellipse Balcony will showcase additional illustrations from picture books by Leonard Weisgard, on loan from his family. Leonard Weisgard won the 1947 Caldecott medal for illustration for his pictures for Golden MacDonald’s book The Little Island.

The exhibitions, which are suitable for all ages, will be open:

Monday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Other viewings may be arranged by calling the Arne Nixon Center at 559.278.8116.

Visit our Facebook page for pre-exhibit sneak peek of the collection (and the unpacking process).

Spring Flurries

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 May 2011 22:22:00 +0000

Koko welcomes spring at the Arne Nixon Center with some friends and flowery decorations.
We also have some spring themed books on display in one of the Center's display cases, while our other display cases are loaned out to the Henry Madden Library's Samurai Exhibit.

Library's Dean, Peter McDonald &
ANC's Curator, Angelica Carpenter,
in front of the donation

We started off spring with the excellent news that Alma Flor Ada and Isabel Campoy are donating their collection of (mostly) Spanish language children's books, from various countries, to the Arne Nixon Center.
This collection is a great addition to the Center's foreign language collection, as well as being a complement to the Center's collection of the author's papers of Alma Flor Ada.
When the donation arrived at the Center last week, we filled almost a whole wall of shelving with these wonderful books.

The Center's preparations for hosting the 9th IBBY Regional Conference "Peace the World Together With Children´s Books" on October 21-23, 2011, are also picking up speed.
The conference will feature wonderful programs and speakers, such as Pam Muñoz Ryan, Peter Sís, Grace Lin, Margarita Engle, and so much more! To register for the conference and to get more information about the schedule, click here

It's a Party to Support ANC ~ Secret Garden Party

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 20:10:00 +0000

04.19.2011 UPDATE:
Photos from this year's Secret Garden Party is available for viewing on our Facebook page. Much thanks Lisa Black, Howard Watkins and Angelica Carpenter for capturing the Party moments!

Original Post:
Join us this Sunday, April 10, 2011, to show your support for the Arne Nixon Center and get your tickets to attend the Arne Nixon Center Advocates' 9^th Annual Secret Garden Party.

Individual tickets are available for $50/person. Underwriters packages are still available, too. Contact Kellie at kelliew@csufresno.edu or (559) 278-5790, to reserve tickets or sign-up as an underwriter.

Follow the link to ANC website for more information about the party!

Walter R. Brooks Exhibit

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:22:00 +0000

In honor of the Friends of Freddy fan club gathering in Fresno, the Arne Nixon Center will exhibit books and artifacts from the library of the late Walter R. Brooks, author of the Freddy the Pig series.Brooks wrote 25 Freddy books, which were published from 1927 to 1958. He also wrote some 200 short stories for adults, 20 of them featuring Ed the Talking Horse, whose adventures formed the basis of the kitsch classic TV show of the 1960s, “Mr. Ed.”

The exhibition includes two cases of books by Brooks and a third case showcasing books illustrated by Kurt Wiese, who provided pictures for all but the first Freddy book. Two pieces of original Freddy art are also included. Wiese became well-known for his illustrations in Felix Salten’s story of Bambi. He won two Caldecott Honor medals, one in 1946 for his book, You Can Write Chinese and another in 1949 for his book, Fish in the Air. He is also the illustrator of the picture book classic, The Story about Ping by Marjorie Flack.

Two additional cases offer biographical information about Walter R. Brooks, who was born in 1886 in Rome, New York. Orphaned at the age of fifteen, he was sent by his wealthy family to a military boarding school near Peekskill. Later he became a writer for magazines and one of America’s most beloved children’s authors. His Freddy books are still in print, with new paperback editions being published this spring.
The exhibition includes family photos, Brooks’s teenage journal, his scrapbook, beautiful books from his library (he was also a book dealer), and even his typewriter (pictured on the left). All of the exhibition materials were donated by Brooks’s biographer, Michael Cart, a well-known author, librarian, and columnist who is donating his own books and papers to the Center.

A brochure with selected quotes from Brooks’s journal is available for those who come to see this exhibition. The exhibition will run until March 31, located in the Shirley Brinker Gallery and the Arne Nixon Center Reading Room, is open to the public weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Registration information of Friends of Freddy Convention can be found here.

Planning for 2011 Programs

noreply@blogger.com (Arne Nixon Center) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 21:48:00 +0000

Save the date, and please plan to come to one (or some, or all!) of our programs this year. We have collaborated with some wonderful people and organizations, on-campus and off-campus, to offer these great programs in 2011.
So, here is a quick run-down of all the programs and exhibitions that the Arne Nixon Center is planning for the first half of this year:

February 3: Exclusive Film Screening
Everyone is invited to see an exclusive Central Valley film screening of The Library of the Early Mind: A Grown-Up Look at the Art of Children's Literature, on Feb. 3 at the Henry Madden Library. This event is free for the public, but space is limited to the first 100 people. To see the trailer (and 'Like' it!) and get more info on the film, click here.
February 10: A Child's Garden of Verses Recital
The public is invited to a recital of Robert Louis Stevenson’s poems set to music and performed by pianist Hatem Nadim and Fresno State vocal students from the Voice Studio of Professor Emerita Helene Joseph-Weil. This event is free for the public, the recital will start at 12:30 pm at the Henry Madden Library. For more info, click here

Exhibit: Walter R. Brooks (February 1 - March 31)
Walter R. Brooks was the author of Freddy the Pig children's books series about the talking animal detective. Brooks was also the author of more than 200 short stories for adults, 20 of them featuring Ed the Talking Horse, whose adventures formed the basis of the kitsch classic TV show of the 60s, "Mr. Ed."
This exhibit will be displayed at the Arne Nixon Center's reading room and gallery. It is open to the public during the Arne Nixon Center's open hours.
March 24: GLBTQ Collection Showcase and Open House
This showcase and open house, in collaboration with the Henry Madden Library's Development Office, will show some of the many GLBTQ themed books from Henry Madden Library and Arne Nixon Center collections. For more information about this event, see flyer (jpg) or visit the event's Facebook page (requires a Facebook account to access).
March 26-27: Friends of Freddy Convention
As we posted on this blog, this group celebrates the writings of Walter R. Brooks (1886-1958) and his literary alter ego, Freddy the Pig. Arne Nixon Center will host its convention at the Henry Madden Library. Registration is free for Friends of Freddy members, and only $25 for non-members, which also includes a two-years membership to the group. For more info, click here.
April 10: Centennial Secret Garden Party
Keeping up with Fresno State's Centennial celebration, our annual Secret Garden Party will have that 'Centennial' feel that you just must see! To reserve or sponsor this year's Secret Garden Party, please contact Kellie Willis at 559.278.5790.

We have more programs and exhibit planned for the second half of this year, including our Arne Nixon Center Advocates annual meeting, the International Board of Books for Young People (IBBY) Regional Conference, and our special Lewis Carroll exhibit.

Ashley Bryan Donates Art

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:24:00 +0000

Artist/author Ashley Bryan has donated twelve pieces of original art from his famous picture books to the Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature, a department of the Henry Madden Library. The gift includes bright tempera paintings from The House with No Doors and The Story of the Three Kingdoms and watercolors from The Story of Lightning and Thunder and All Night, All Day. Pen and ink studies and paintings for The Dancing Granny show dancers in motion—their depiction so dynamic that they seem likely to shimmy right off the paper. The gift also includes a crayon pencil sketch from The Cat’s Purr, selected by the artist in honor of the Center’s Helen Monnette Amestoy Collection of Books on Cats.

   Ashley Bryan, who writes most of the books he illustrates, is the winner of three Coretta Scott King awards for illustration. In 2009 he won the American Library Association’s Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, a lifetime achievement award for substantial and lasting donations to children’s literature. In 2010 he won a Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for the best non-fiction book of the year, for his amazing and unusual picture book autobiography Ashley Bryan: Words to My Life’s Song.

    Ashley Bryan was born in New York in 1923 to parents who had moved there from Antigua, in the British West Indies. Even when he was denied a chance to study art because of the color of his skin, he kept drawing and painting until he found a school (Cooper Union) that was more interested in the colors on his canvases. He lives now on Cranberry Island, off the coast of Maine, in a house filled with art, sea-glass, puppets, and stained glass windows.

     The artist, who was a longtime friend of Arne Nixon’s, sent a letter with his art to the Center’s curator Angelica Carpenter:

“Dear Angelica, It was a joy meeting you at the SCBWI conference. . . . I have always thought of Arne Nixon and am donating some of my work to his Center. It was the news of my friend Aliki’s donation [of original art] that inspired me to act NOW.”

Earlier this year, author/artist Aliki paid a tribute to Ashley Bryan in her new picture book Push Button. The Arne Nixon Center thanks Ashley Bryan for these wonderful pictures and for the tribute to his friends, Aliki and Arne Nixon.

ARE YOU SCARED YET?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:03:00 +0000

Robert San Souci speaks for the Big Read Program

Everyone is invited to a talk by author Robert D. San Souci at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 17, at the Woodward Park Library, 944 East Perrin Avenue in northeast Fresno. The program, which is co-sponsored by the Arne Nixon Center, is part of the Fresno County Public Library’s Big Read program. This event is FREE and open to the public.

The Big Read theme this year is the works of Edgar Allan Poe and other scary stories, like Haunted Houses (Are You Scared Yet?) by Robert San Souci. The Big Read will offer more than 100 programs in October and November, including this one, which is suitable for readers of all ages. Refreshments will be served. The author’s books will be available for sale and autographing from Petunia’s Place bookstore.

Click here for more info.

ANCA 2010 Annual Meeting with Virginia Pilegard

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:07:00 +0000

Children's book author, Virginia Pilegard

The Arne Nixon Center Advocates invite everyone to their annual meeting, featuring picture book author Virginia Walton Pilegard. The program will be held on Friday, September 17, at the Henry Madden Library, 5200 N. Barton Avenue, Fresno. The evening will begin with a reception, featuring Chinese hors d'oeuvres, wine, and soft drinks at 6 p.m. The meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m.

Virginia Pilegard began writing for children while teaching math to third and fourth graders. Her Warlord series of seven picture books features well researched adventure stories set in ancient China, each demostrating a math concept.

The Warlord's Puzzle and The Warlord's Beads are listed on the state of California's core curriculum literature list for mathematics. Pilegard has traveled to China to do research for the series and for her newest book, The Emperor's Army, a picture book history of the terra-cotta warriors.

To find out how a girl who was raised in the mountains north of Fresno, in a two-room cabin with neither electricity nor plumbing, grew up to be a researcher and writer about ancient China, please join ANCA and Virginia Pilegard on September 17.

This event is open to the public and there is no fee to attend. Free parking is available. Reservations are required by sending email to mrianto@csufresno.edu or by calling (559) 278-8116. Petunia's Place bookstore will sell the author's books at the event for autographing.