David Shannon read from No, David!, his Caldecott medal-winning story, to the younger set and their families on Thursday, September 12, at Burbank’s Central Library. The best-selling children’s picture book author was invited by Burbank Public Library staff for a special event to celebrate the years-long relationship he has maintained with the BPL.
BPL Programs and Publicity’s Joan Cappocchi explains the library’s connection with Mr. Shannon, “He has been very kind to the library, and generous with his time. Two years ago, during the city’s Centennial year, we invited him to be a special guest at our Burbank Authors Book Festival. He attended that event, spoke to an enthusiastic crowd and then signed his books. I mentioned to him at that time, that we were planning to offer a few choices for library cards in the future, and would he consider designing one for us. He was enthusiastic and willing.”
Local studios Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. all contributed designs for a selection of limited-edition library cards. Ms. Cappocchi created more cards with the city’s original library building and designed a logo for the year. Mr. Shannon provided a colorful design featuring his popular character David for another card. In total, a choice of eight library cards with varying artwork are available from the BPL while supplies last.
“Of course, it was such a wonderful design, that I immediately thought of several places we could put it to good use,” Ms. Cappocchi continues, discussing Mr. Shannon’s artwork. “He gave us permission to use it however we wanted, for whatever purpose!”
Consequently, the Friends of the Burbank Public Library are now selling a child’s drawstring backpack for $3 and a coffee mug for $5, both of which feature Mr. Shannon’s character David. The proceeds from the sale of these items go to the Friends of the BPL, which in turn funds all of the library’s programming and many special purchases for the library. Additionally, Ms. Cappocchi turned Mr. Shannon’s artwork into a children’s bookmark, available at all three Burbank libraries.
At the special reading on September 12, BPL staff presented Mr. Shannon with a shadow box framing his card and a thank-you assortment of promotional items, including those with his design, acknowledging his support over the years. He also picked up a new library card with Nickelodeon’s “Adventure Time” characters for his daughter.
“I like to think I have a general relationship with all libraries, since children’s books and libraries work hand in hand to get kids reading, but I have a more personal friendship with the Burbank library,” comments Mr. Shannon. “I live in Burbank and my daughter spent many hours there when she was younger, especially in the Reading Club program.”
His latest book, Bugs In My Hair! was published on August 27, is available in stores and will be arriving on BPL shelves soon. He anticipates reading from the book at the local libraries in the fall. Mr. Shannon describes Bugs In My Hair! as “a comical look at the problem of… HEAD LICE!!!”
