This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events.
Learn about life, art, and telling your story with bestselling author, illustrator and syndicated cartoonist, Jerry Craft. Join us for a conversation about his works and journey to success, including a drawing demo that will be fun for the whole family!
Jerry Craft is the author-illustrator of #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novels New Kid, and its companion book, Class Act. New Kid was the first book in history to win the Newbery Medal, The Coretta Scott King Author Award, and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature. In his latest book, School Trip, Craft hopes to share his love of travel in order to inspire kids and their families to see the world and embrace new cultures. He is also the creator of Mama’s Boyz, an award-winning comic strip which won the African American Literary Award five times.
Despite not always being an avid reader, Craft has a unique ability to weave captivating narratives and bring them to life through his stunning artwork. He has used his experience to create the works he wishes he’d had as a kid. He loves working with children and hopes to inspire anyone he meets to keep trying, always.
Craft will be joined in conversation by Ronnell Whitaker, a founding member of the Lit-X Teacher Cohort and English Curriculum Director for High School District 218 in Oak Lawn, Illinois. He has over 15 years of education experience and is a champion for comics in the classroom. He has presented across the country on the virtues of comics in the classroom.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com
Founded in 1973, the award-winning Warren-Newport Public Library serves a population of approximately 60,000 within a 55-square mile area. The library offers books, movies, and music in the collections and engaging programs for all ages. WNPL also provides many educational and entertaining online resources, including ebooks, eaudiobooks, streaming media and research databases.
