If you’re a fan of picture books, here’s an opportunity to own art created by some of today’s most talented illustrators!
The American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE), a part of the American Booksellers Association, is the bookseller’s voice in the fight against censorship. Booksellers from around the country just attended a national conference, Book Expo America, in New York, and kicked off an auction of art donated by illustrators. An auction is now online through June 8 so the public can participate.
The ABFE Children’s Book Art Auction, which supports the free speech rights of kids, features many original works and high-quality prints by some of the leading artists working in the book industry today, including Rosemary Wells, Eric Carle, Robin Preiss Glasser, Bruce Degen, LeUyen Pham, and Vincent X. Kirsch. You’ll find some of your favorite characters, including Skippyjon Jones, Freckleface Strawberry, Fancy Nancy, and that hilarious raccoon from Secret Pizza Party! Pacific Northwest illustrator Elizabeth Rose Stanton, creator of Henny, has a beautiful penguin on offer (see left).
You can get in on the fun at this link.
Proceeds support the American Booksellers for Free Expression and help underwrite the Kids’ Right to Read Project, which was co-founded by ABFE and the National Coalition Against Censorship, and Banned Books Week.
Kids’ Right to Read Project provides support to students, parents, teachers, librarians and booksellers who are fighting efforts to ban children’s and young adult books in their communities. Since its founding in 2006, KRRP has opposed challenges to 222 titles in 35 states.
Banned Books Week is only national celebration of the freedom to read. Since 1982, booksellers and librarians have mounted displays of banned and challenged works to draw attention to threats to the freedom to read. A total of 464 books for banned or challenged in 2012. This year’s Banned Books Week will be held September 27- October 3.