The Wall

Saw a notice for an author/illustrator/artist signing by Peter Sis. His new children's book is called The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain.

Some of his bio: "In 1982 he was sent by the Czech government to Los Angeles to produce a film for the 1984 Winter Olympics. But the film project was canceled when Czechoslovakia and the entire Eastern bloc decided to boycott the Olympics. Ordered by his government to return home, Peter decided to stay in the United States and was granted asylum."

Illustrator/painter/artist. Illustrator of books by Jack Prelutsky, George Shannon, and Sid Fleischman. Writer and illustrator of his own books. Artist (subway stations. films with Bob Dylan. Pieces in the Museum of Modern Art. Awards all over the place)

He had long been thinking about writing the book, but decided to go ahead and do it after seeing our freedoms being taken away as a result of 9/11. My thought: this is a pretty powerful viewpoint from someone who sought asylum in America and enjoyed our freedom. I need to buy the book.

“Peter Sís’s book is most of all about the will to live one’s life in freedom and should be required reading for all those who take their freedom for granted.”
—Václav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic

Go here for more information: www.petersis.com

The author speaking engagement/book signing is free to the first 100 librarians who sign up. Sigh- but it is in Northern California.