D58 Welcomes Families to Author Fest Book Sale and Signing

Submitted by Downers Grove Grade School District 58.

Downers Grove, IL - Downers Grove Grade School District 58 invites the community to the Author Fest Book Sale and Signing on Friday, April 15 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Downers Grove Public Library meeting room.

Families can enjoy a meet-and-greet, photo opportunity and book signing with four prominent children's authors -- Laura Huliska-Beith, Chris Rylander, Liesl Shurtliff and Tom Watson.

The book signing will conclude the 2016 Author Fest. The annual District 58 PTA-sponsored Author Fest event alternates each year between north side and south side schools.

This year, Belle Aire, Henry Puffer, Highland, Hillcrest, Lester and Pierce Downer will welcome these authors into their schools on April 13-15. The authors will share fun, hands-on insights about the writing/illustration process with students.

About the authors:

Laura Huliska-Beith is a freelance illustrator living in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from the prestigious Kansas City Art Institute, and currently serves there as an adjunct professor teaching Junior Illustration. Huliska-Beith has illustrated several children’s books, including “The Recess Queen” and “Ten Little Lady Bugs,” and has authored one book. She enjoys making school visits and always incorporates drawing into her presentations.

Chris Rylander writes books for children and teenagers, most notably “The Fourth Stall” and “Codename Conspiracy” trilogies. His writing style infuses mystery with humor to captivate a wide range of middle-grade readers. A native of North Dakota, Rylander and his family currently reside in Chicago.

Liesl Shurtliff re-imagined the world of fairy tales, which resulted in her exhilarating “True Story Of” book series, which presents a different view on Rumpelstiltskin, Jack & the Beanstalk, and Red Riding Hood. Shurtliff grew up in Salt Lake City but now lives in Chicago with her husband and three children.

Tom Watson started working in politics, marketing and advertising in Chicago. He wrote and illustrated books for his children, and his wife suggested he share the books online. He did, and his “Stick Dog” book series became an immediate hit! Watson teaches students how to draw the characters from his graphic novels during his presentations.