Fort Smith Public Library is excited to host children’s author Jan Brett on Friday, December 6 at 5 pm.  Jan Brett is the New York Times #1 bestselling artist/author of over 35 picture books which have sold over 42 million copies combined. Her books have been chosen as “Best Children’s Books of the Year” by The New Yorker, Parents, Redbook, and others. 

This evening with the author will feature a drawing demonstration and discussion of Jan Brett’s newest book, The Tale of the Tiger Slippers. Inspired by Brett’s tiger research trip to India, it is a gorgeous reimagining of the classic Persian folktale Abu Kassem’s Slippers featuring a poor tiger cub who is a very hard worker. The cub’s mother makes him sturdy slippers to protect his feet from stones and thorns while making bricks and building houses. Eventually his hard work makes him wealthy. He continues to wear his cherished slippers until one day he’s questioned why someone so prominent and successful would wear such tattered shoes. Feeling embarrassed, Tiger tries hard to get rid of the slippers. However, fate keeps bringing them back.  

Here are a few details about Jan Brett's Visit:

Jan Brett’s books will be available for purchase at the library on the day of her visit, including her new book, The Tale of the Tiger Slippers.  Books-A-Million will have plenty of books to accommodate everyone.  You can save time by purchasing your book(s) in advance at Books-A-Million; please hold your receipt and bring your book(s) in a bag to the book signing or just wait and purchase your book at the library on the day of the book signing.  Books purchased at the event will be signed by Jan Brett as time allows. 

Jan will do her very best to sign all of the books that time permits.  The number of books that Jan can sign per family depends on how many people come to the signing.  If time does not allow Jan to sign every book, the library will have special signed bookplates featuring Jan’s artwork for all of the extra books.  

Jan’s tour bus will be parked in front of the Main Library parking lot at 4 pm. It is wrapped in artwork from The Tale of the Tiger Slippers. Your family is welcome to take a photograph next to the special tour bus.

Hedgie, Jan’s favorite friend from The Mitten and The Hat, will be visiting our library as well.  Please bring the kids to have a photo taken with Hedgie.  

For more about Jan Brett and all her books, please visit: her website, her facebook page, and her youtube channel.  

For more information about this library program, please contact the Youth Services Department at the Main Library at 479-783-0229 ex. 1131.