Books to Treasure with Peter Brown

Peter Brown, a multiple New York Times bestseller, is the featured illustrator for Tulsa City-County Library’s 2013 “Books to Treasure,” an annual event promoting the beauty of children’s literature and introducing the community to popular book illustrators. Brown will speak, answer questions and sign copies of his books during a special visit on Nov. 8, 7 p.m. at Hardesty Regional Library’s Connor’s Cove, 8316 E. 93rd St. This event is free and open to the public. Brown has authored or illustrated 14 books for children and families. His book “The Creepy Carrots” was a 2013 Caldecott Honor Book and a New York Times Bestseller. Other books on the New York Times’ Bestseller list include “You Will Be My Friend!” “Children Make Terrible Pets,” “The Curious Garden” and “Mr. Tiger Goes Wild.” Brown studied illustration at Art Center College of Design, where his love of both words and pictures led to several courses on children’s books. While working on animated TV shows he was hired to write and illustrate his first picture book, “Flight of the Dodo.” “Books to Treasure” is sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust through a grant from the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation. The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation is providing one free copy of Brown’s “You Will Be My Friend!” to each second-grader in Tulsa County. Students also have the opportunity to receive a special library card featuring artwork from the book. “You Will Be My Friend” follows Lucy throughout her day on the quest for friendship. After accidentally ruining a giraffe’s breakfast and eating a bee’s honey-filled home, an unexpected friend finds her and loves her just the way she is. To enhance the author’s visit, Tulsa City-County Library children’s librarians have visited second-grade classes at all public and private schools in Tulsa County to promote the program. Librarians spoke with students on the importance of reading and having a library card. Librarians also created specific lesson plans using Brown’s books focusing on curriculum areas such as reading, math, writing, science and social studies. For more information on “Books to Treasure,” call the AskUs Hotline, 918-549-7323, or visit the library’s webpage, www.tulsalibrary.org.