Albany, NY (Nov. 30, 2000) - - - Rev. Michael A. Farano, Chairman of the Albany County Airport Authority, today announced the opening of the latest exhibition to be featured in the Albany International Airport Gallery: PLANES, TRAINS, AUTOMOBILES and...An exhibition of book illustrations and writings from the Children's Literature Connection. The exhibit opens December 9, and runs through March 18, 2001 in the Gallery located on the third floor of the terminal.

The Airport's Art and Culture Program will host a public reception to formally open the exhibit on Thursday, December 14, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. At that time, authors will be available to autograph their books.

"We invite our guests young and old to travel the world of the authors and illustrators of contemporary children's literature in this exhibition of words and images that focus on the theme of transportation," said Rev. Farano.

The Children's Literature Connection is a nonprofit organization based in the Capital District. Its members include authors and illustrators of children's books, teachers, librarians, booksellers, editors, and parents: in short, anyone with a professional or avocational interest in the advancement of children's literature. The majority of work featured is by professionals living and working in the Capital District.

"The Capital District and Hudson Valley are rich in children's book authors and illustrators," said Jennifer Armstrong, president and co-founder of the Children's Literature Connection. "We're especially pleased and proud to be able to include work by three Caldecott Medal winners, Emily Arnold McCully, Simms Taback, and Ed Young."

The Caldecott Medal is given annually by the American Library Association for outstanding achievement in children's book illustration. Only the Newbery Medal, (also awarded annually by the American Library Association) which is given to the author of the most outstanding work of literature for children in the preceding year matches it in distinction.

"These are the Academy Awards of children's books and we have winners of both awards in the Airport's exhibition," said Armstrong.

The exhibition will include a special reading table that will enable young travelers to sit down with an exciting book by the featured authors and illustrators. The books that will be featured in the exhibit will also be on sale at Departure - The Museum Shop, located on the second floor of the terminal.

Illustrators and authors featured in the exhibition include: Tedd Arnold, Jennifer Armstrong, Karen Magnuson Beil, Robin Brickman, Joseph Bruchac, Eileen Christelow, Liza Frenette, Karen Hesse, Bruce Hiscock, Patrice Kindl, Daniel J. Mahoney, Emily Arnold McCully, Matt McElligott, Karen Pandell, Robin Pulver, Jacqueline Rogers, Jeffrey Scherer, Joan Steiner, Alexandra Siy, Cat Bowman Smith, Simms Taback, Mark Teague, Ed Young, Sylvie Wickstrom, and Thor Wickstrom.

The following programs will be held in the Community Room, second floor, Concourse-B:

Wednesday, January 17, 7:00 p.m., Professor Ann Roberts, SUNY-Albany, will present a slide-talk, 100 years of Transportation in Children's Books.

Wednesday, February 7, 7:00 p.m., Author/Illustrator Joan Steiner will present a slide-talk on how she creates her famous Look-Alikes books.

Tuesday, February 20, 10:00 a.m., Beyond Pretty: How to have discussions about high quality illustrations with primary age students. First grade teacher and educational consultant Robert Whiteman will show how he engages young children in deep literary criticism and meaningful discussion of Caldecott-winning picture books.

The exhibition and all programs are free and open to the public. For more information about the exhibition please contact Liz Blum at 242-2240.

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