Giffen to host Author-Illustrator Day

Giffen Memorial Elementary School will hold its annual Meet the Author-Illustrator Day on Friday, and City School District of Albany children and families are invited.

This free event will be held from 3:30-6 p.m. Friday at the school, located at 274 South Pearl St.

An author, two illustrators and an author-illustrator of children’s books will be on hand to discuss and answer questions about their work. Their books will be available for discounted purchase and signing, as well.

The author, illustrators and author-illustrator are:

• Author Ann Burg has written 11 children and young adult books, including “Serafina’s Promise,” “Unbound” and “All the Broken Pieces.”
• The Children’s Book Council named illustrator James Ransome as one of 75 authors and illustrators everyone should know. Currently a member of the Society of Illustrators, Ransome has received both the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration and the IBBY Honor Award for his book, "The Creation." He has illustrated more than 60 books during his career.
• Illustrator and author Eric Velazquez has illustrated 27 books and some 81 book covers, including 22 covers for the Encyclopedia Brown series. He also wrote and illustrated two books.
• Elizabeth Zunon has illustrated 10 books, including “Poems in the Attic” and “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.” She also is writing her first book.

The mission of the City School District of Albany is to work in partnership with our diverse community to engage every learner in a robust educational program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for success. The district serves about 9,600 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.