Submitted by City of Lacey Parks and Recreation
Each year the Lacey Loves to Read Committee seeks out an award winning author to be the focus of this community literacy initiative designed to unite readers of all ages around the works of one author. We are excited to announce our 2019 author is Kazu Kibuishi, New York Times Best Selling author/illustrator of the Amulet graphic novel series. The most recent release, Amulet 8: Super Nova was released this past fall to fan’s delight, and now all are anxiously waiting #9, the conclusion of the wildly popular series. He is also the editor/art director/cover artist of the EXPLORER and FLIGHT Comic Anthologies, and the creator of the webcomic Copper. His debut graphic novel, Daisy Kutter: The Last Train, won a YALSA Best Books for Young Adults Award in 2005. In 2012, he illustrated the covers for the Harry Potter 15th Anniversary Edition paperbacks.
Kibuishi is 4th-generation Japanese-American. Kibuishi was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1978. The family moved back to the United States in 1981, and he grew up near Los Angeles, California. Kibuishi began drawing comics at the age of 5. Despite spending much of his time drawing comics, Kibuishi decided not to attend art school and enrolled at the University of California Santa Barbara, where he graduated with a degree in Film Studies in 2000. After graduating, he pursued a career in the animation industry, but found his way back to making comics. He currently works as a full-time graphic novelist. He also speaks at schools. Kibuishi currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, author Amy Kim Kibuishi, and their children.
The public can meet Kazu Kibuishi at a free Community Author Reception from 7-8:30 p.m., February 21 at River Ridge High School Auditorium, 350 River Ridge Dr. S.E. The event will kick off with an ‘Artist’s Alley’ featuring artwork from NTPS students, free books from the South Sound Reading Foundation, author book sales from Scholastic along with T-shirt and book bag sales. After the author presentation he will sign his books. “The City of Lacey is excited to welcome Kazu Kibuishi” said Jeannette Sieler, Recreation Supervisor, Lacey Parks and Recreation and Lacey Loves to Read co-chair. “Families and book lovers have been coming to Lacey Loves to Read events for years – it’s free, fun and very unique!”
Other highlights of the program will include:
- Lacey Loves to Read Bookmark winners will be recognized: Lacey City Council will recognize the 6 student bookmark grand prize winners whose work is published and distributed throughout the community. See their work and who they are at nthurston.k12.wa.us/read.
- Teen Graphic Novel Contest: Lacey Timberland Library sponsored a graphic novel contest for teens this year as part of the literacy month. The winners will be announced on Feb. 20 and published online.
- Read Around Lacey: This is the sixth year for this literacy adventure sponsored by the Lacey South Sound Chamber of Commerce. Students K-6 visit local businesses on a map and read something they wrote to the business owner/employees who talk to the students about the importance of reading in their own jobs. Students have to visit a minimum of 6 businesses February 1-15 and can win prizes, including a new tablet. Maps are available through NTPS schools and the Lacey Timberland Library.
- Make Your Own Comics Workshop on Saturday, February 9, 2:00 p.m. at the Lacey Library for kids grades 4th – 12th with Cathy Camper https://cathycamper.com/ FREE
Other community sponsors include: Friends of the Lacey Timberland Regional Library, Lacey South Sound Chamber, Occasions Catering & Special Events, Sylvan Learning, Dzines Creative Solutions & Graphic Designs, North Thurston Education Association, Miss Moffett’s Mystical Cupcakes, Molina Healthcare, South Sound Bank, Lacey Rotary, South Sound Reading Foundation, South Bay Press, NTPS Parent Groups, 96.9 The Sound; The Olympian, ThurstonTalk, Mixx 96.1, 94.5 ROXY, Olympia’s KGY 95.3, 96.9 KAYO.
For more information visit the “Lacey Loves to Read” webpage at www.nthurston.k12.wa.us/read. For more information on Kazu Kibuishi visit boltcityproductions.com
