For Immediate Release: October 18, 2006

Picture Books Take Center Stage
For Annual Children’s Book Week Celebration

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(Oakland, CA)—National Children’s Book Week is November 13 through 19, 2006, and Oakland Public Library will kick off a new Children’s Author/Illustrator Series with a special appearance by Daniel San Souci, Bay Area native and creator of Space Station Mars, The Dangerous Snake & Reptile Club, and other titles. Throughout the week, our libraries will host free programs, including a series of Book Art Illustration workshops taught by artists from the Museum of Children’s Art, to celebrate everyone’s favorite children’s books. Details of these events follow.

Daniel San Souci Kicks Off Children's Book Week, Sunday, November 12, 3 pm

Don’t miss this fascinating introduction into the world of the picture book artist and author whose titles include North Country Night, Space Station Mars, and The Dangerous Snake & Reptile Club, which is set in Berkeley. All ages are welcome to hear Daniel San Souci on Sunday, November 12 at 3 pm at the Oakland Museum when he shares what inspires his stories, including tales of growing up and living in the Bay Area. He’ll talk about how he develops ideas into sketches and take listeners through the publishing process. Daniel also will create a drawing on-stage, answer audience questions, and afterward, he will sign books.

In addition to his own books, Daniel has been the book artist for titles that include Feathertop, The Legend of Scarface, Two Bear Cubs: A Miwok Legend from California’s Yosemite Valley, and Antelope, Bison, Cougar: A National Park Wildlife Alphabet Book. Learn more about Daniel at http://www.danielsansouci.com/ This program is co-sponsored by the Oakland Museum of California. Sunday, November 12, 3 pm, Oakland Museum of California, James Moore Theatre, 1000 Oak St. at 10th Street.

MOCHA Illustrator Workshops

Ever wonder how picture book illustrations are made? All ages are welcome to a hands-on workshop in illustrating picture books with collage or ink, taught by an artist from the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA). Each workshop will emphasize the illustration styles of authors Eric Carle (creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar) or Dr. Seuss. Participants’ work will be on display in the branch libraries through the end of the month.

Dr. Seuss Art Workshops:
Saturday, November 4, 2:30 pm, Asian Branch, 388-9th Street, Suite 190, (510) 238-3400
Monday, November 13, 2 pm, M. L. King, Jr. Branch, 6833 International Blvd., (510) 615-5728

Eric Carle Art Workshops:
Tuesday, November 14, 1 pm, Montclair Branch, 1687 Mountain Blvd. (510) 482-7810,
Tuesday, November 14, 3:30 pm, Dimond Branch, 3565 Fruitvale Avenue, (510) 482-7844
Thursday, November 16, 3:30 pm, Lakeview Branch, 550 El Embarcadero, (510) 238-7344
Thursday, November 16, 4 pm, Piedmont Ave. Branch, 160-41st Street, (510) 597-5011
Saturday, November 18, 2 pm, Main Library Children's Room, 125-14 th Street, (510) 238-3615

The MOCHA workshops are offered in conjunction with Once Upon a Time: Children’s Book Illustrators, Then and Now, on exhibit at MOCHA, 538 Ninth Street in Oakland, through January 7, 2007.

Colibri Bilingual Music Program, Tuesday, November 14, 7 pm

This Spanish/English sing-along and musical performance by the group Colibri promotes and honors reading and books. All ages are welcome, best for kids two to 10 years.

Tuesday, November 14, 7 pm, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Avenue, (510) 597-5017

Book-Making Workshops

What better way to celebrate Children's Book Week than by making a book of your own at one of these popular workshops?

Thursday, November 16, 3:30 pm, Golden Gate Branch, 5606 San Pablo Ave., (510) 597-5023
Fri., Nov. 17, 3:30 pm, Eastmont Br., Eastmont Town Ct., 7200 Bancroft Ave., (510) 615-5726

For more information, please call the branch number listed above or (510) 238-3615, or see the Library's Web site: www.oaklandlibrary.org. Please refrain from wearing scented products. To request sign interpretation, or other accommodation, call the number above or (510) 834-7446 (TTY) at least five working days prior to the event. The Oakland Public Library is a department of the City of Oakland.