The CCYAL presents critically acclaimed children's book author and illustrator Nina Crews as our spring semester 2012 guest lecturer on Tuesday, March 6.
The lecture will be held in the University of Tennessee's College of Communication and Information (CCI) Auditorium, Communications Building, 345 Circle Park Drive.
The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. A book signing will follow.
The event is free to the public. Paid parking is available in UT's University Center Garage.
Nina Crews is a critically acclaimed children's book author and illustrator. She uses photographs and photocollages to create energetic stories about young children. Her career began in 1995 with One Hot Summer Day which Kirkus Reviews hailed as "the debut of a welcome new voice and vision." Two of her recent books, The Neighborhood Mother Goose and Below were ALA Notable selections.
Nina’s work has explored a variety of themes. She has updated classic material in The Neighborhood Mother Goose as well as in her upcoming titles, The Neighborhood Sing-Along and Jack and the Beanstalk. She has written stories of children’s imaginary adventures in Below, Sky-High Guy, You Are Here and I’ll Catch the Moon. She has explored simple experiences of urban childhood in One Hot Summer Day and Snowball.
“I chose to make photographic books because photography was and is my favorite medium to work in. I write the story 
first, though most often a visual idea motivates me to start a book. Once the story is in place, I start to work with my models. The interaction between us always adds something to the project; their performances often generate new ideas.
“As I’ve read my work to children, I have found that they really respond enthusiastically to “real” pictures. They love hearing about the children who pose for the books – their names, ages and where they live. All of my subjects are family, friends and friends of friends. The books tell stories I’ve created, but also record these children at certain ages – they are stars.”
She is the daughter of children’s book authors Donald Crews – Freight Train; Truck; Ten Black Dots; Shortcut and Ann Jonas – Round Trip; The Quilt; Splash; Color Dance.
Nina is a graduate of Yale University, where she received a BA in art. She also participated in the Whitney Independent Study Program. Nina lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and son.
More information about Nina Crews is available at http://www.ninacrews.com/
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