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Award-Winning Guest Authors Share Their Stories at the Annual Staten Island Academy Spring Book Fair

April 19, 2006 – Renowned and multi-talented children’s book authors Mo Willems and Tom Lynch will make special guest appearances at the Staten Island Academy Annual Spring Book Fair, to be held Wednesday, May 3 and Thursday, May 4, from 8:30AM – 4:30PM in the OJ Buck Gymnasium. The event is for all members of the Staten Island Academy community.

Mo Willems garnered six Emmy Awards for his script writing on Sesame Street, created Cartoon Network’s Sheep in the Big City, and animated over 60 shorts for festivals, HBO, Nickelodeon and MTV. He is also a Caldecott winner for Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! And Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale. Mr. Willems, who will be at the Book Fair May 4, will conduct several illustration workshops with the students, based on characters from his recent books.

Tom Lynch, who adapted and illustrated Fables from Aesop and co-wrote Around the World, a book about a gritty game of street basketball which is played in New York, then in Australia, China and back to New York, will address the Middle School students on May 3 in the Haugen Hall Auditorium.

“We are thrilled to have such distinguished artists at this popular event,” says Lea Prendergast, head librarian. “The children, especially, will benefit from spending creative time with them and hearing about their life experiences.”

Other items at the Book Fair will include colorful board books for children, novels for teems and adults, classics, cookbooks and much more. Collectibles such as Academy baseball caps and totes will be on sale, as well as Mother’s Day gifts.

Staten Island Academy, located on a lush 12-acre campus, educates qualified students from age four through Grade 12. The only independent school on Staten Island, the Academy’s mission is to provide a liberal arts education to a socio-economically diverse population. It comprises seven buildings, including state-of-the-art computer facilities, and a completely renovated Theater, Library, Art Barn and Alumni Hall classroom building. Outdoors are two swimming pools, athletic fields, and tennis courts.

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For further information, please contact Alice Doyle at 718.303.7813 adoyle@statenislandacademy.org.