"Sundays at Two" Series Continues with Author/Illustrator Jane Dyer

Jane Dyer, author and illustrator of best-selling books for children and young adults, will be the second speaker in this year's "Sundays at Two" series sponsored by the Friends of Forbes Library and Smith College.

Dyer will give a slide presentation, titled "From Soup to Crazycakes," during which she will show examples of how the illustrations for her books develop from thumbnail sketches through research to finished sketches and final paintings. She will also answer questions from the audience at this family-oriented event that will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10, in the Coolidge Room at Forbes Library.

The creator of "Animal Crackers" and the illustrator of numerous other picture books -- including "Talking Like the Rain," "The Snow Speaks" and "My Father" -- Dyer's work is a combination of imagination and research. She finds inspiration for her characters in family and friends as well as in her two cats and her dog. Her most recently published work -- the illustrations for "I Love You Like Crazy Cakes," which accompany Rose Lewis' story of a journey to motherhood by way a trip to an orphanage in China where she adopts a baby girl -- appeared on The New York Times bestseller list for children.

"Crazycakes," written for the 4-to 8-year-old set, was called by one reviewer "a touching love story [that] will warm the cockles of any new parent's heart and will inspire parents and kids to talk about their own first 'meetings,' whether at birth or in an adoption agency." Dyer uses "a pastel palette of watercolors to capture the tender moments between the American mom and her rosy-cheeked Chinese baby."

Dyer has illustrated more than 30 books and received numerous awards and honors, including two Parent's Choice Honor Books and several Notable Children's Trade Book citations. "Time for Bed" was chosen by Oprah as one of the best books for toddlers.

The Forbes Library event is open free to the public. Dyer's books will be on sale, and a book signing-- the proceeds from which will benefit Forbes Library -- will follow her presentation.

Contact: Ann Shanahan, ashanaha@smith.edu

November 28, 2000