Students and teachers at Allen Elementary in Curtice and Brunner Elementary in Genoa now know the author/illustrator who will visit their schools as part of the 10th annual Claire’s Day next May.

Claire’s Day is a spring festival celebrating life, authors, illustrators, and reading excellence held on the grounds of the Maumee Public Library.

Claire Ewart, an author and illustrator of children’s books, will meet with students at both schools Friday, May 20, 2011, the day before the public Claire’s Day festivities on May 21.

The author selections were announced during a special Author Selection Gala held Nov. 1, at the Main Library in downtown Toledo. The gala had an election theme that allowed school representatives to cast a vote to select their favorite children’s book author or illustrator for a school visit.

During the gala, a Claire’s Day committee member randomly drew school entries and the school then selected the author or illustrator they’d wanted to present a program at their school.

Students for a variety of schools created shadow box displays representing the work and themes of various authors and illustrators of children’s books.

“This was a fun kick-off to Claire’s Day,” said Cindy Zamora, author selection gala committee member. “It created an opportunity for increased interaction between our partner schools and the committee as we coordinated the 35 school visits.”

Area school children were involved in the process by creating displays that featured each guest artist and writer participating in the school visit program.

Claire’s Day Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 organization that organizes and sponsors a number of events that promote literacy and encourage reading enjoyment for families. These programs include Claire’s Day, Claire’s Night, the school visit program and the C.A.R.E. Awards. Claire’s Day is held in memory of Claire Lynsey Rubini, who passed away from a heart condition in 2000. Claire’s Day is held to not only honor Claire but to inspire children and families of all ages to be lifelong readers through exposure to a variety of literary opportunities and experiences.

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