BWW Previews: SAT., MARCH 24: Free NYC Event! Celebrate Literature & Nature At 'Seeing Into Tomorrow' Book Party At City College Center For The Arts

CITY COLLEGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS PRESENTS 'SEEING INTO TOMORROW'

Author and illustrator Nina Crews visits Aaron Davis Hall for a family-friendly book party
in honor of the release of her new book featuring haiku by literary giant Richard Wright

Special event will feature book reading, activities, and more on Saturday, March 24

NEW YORK (February 28, 2018)-City College Center for the Arts (CCCA) invites families and readers of all ages to visit Aaron Davis Hall for a book party celebrating the launch of author and illustrator Nina Crews' new book Seeing into Tomorrow: Haiku by Richard Wright on Saturday, March 24 at 2 p.m. The free afternoon celebration will include a book reading by Nina Crews, storytelling, dance classes, refreshments and more fun activities for all ages. Copies of Seeing into Tomorrow: Haiku by Richard Wright (Millbrook Press/Lerner Publishing Group, 2018) will also be available for purchase.

An acclaimed author and illustrator, Crews has received praise for her books and her use of photographs of people to bring her stories to life for young readers. Her previous books include One Hot Summer Day (1995), The Neighborhood Mother Goose (2004) and Below (2015). With Seeing into Tomorrow, Crews presents readers with 12 haiku written by Richard Wright, the American author whose works, including the novel Native Son (1940) and his memoir Black Boy (1945), became part of the literary and social fabric of the United States. The haiku, poems consisting of three lines totaling 17 syllables and usually focused on nature, are paired with photographic collages created by Crews that depict contemporary young African American boys interacting with nature. From writing in snow to playing with shadows and examining leaves, Crews invites readers to discover the poetry of Richard Wright and to celebrate the world through the eyes of young brown boys.

The Seeing into Tomorrow book party will begin at 2 p.m., with a book reading by Crews at 3 p.m. The party will also feature dance classes, a storytelling and reading corner, a haiku-writing activity, a collage-making activity and a photo area where readers can become part of the story by having their pictures taken against one of the natural backdrops featured in the book. Refreshments will be served. Crews will also autograph copies of books purchased during the book signing beginning at 3:30 p.m.

"I hope that Seeing into Tomorrow will offer a new perspective on Richard Wright to adult fans and be an entertaining way to introduce this important writer to children. I'm so delighted to have my book launch party at Aaron Davis Hall at City College," said Crews. "I have been attending events here since high school, and I think that Richard Wright would have approved of this venue. "

"We are so pleased to host the book party for Seeing into Tomorrow by Nina Crews. This book is a masterpiece, with stunning photo collages by Nina and brilliant haiku poetry by Richard Wright.

It's not just a children's book. It can be enjoyed by the entire family," said CCCA Managing Director Gregory Shanck.

The family-friendly event is free with registration at www.citycollegecenterforthearts.org. For more details, please visit the CCCA site or call the Aaron Davis Hall box office at (212) 650-6900.

Aaron Davis Hall is located on the campus of the City College of New York, at West 135th Street and Convent Avenue (129 Convent Avenue). [Directions]

City College Center for the Arts can be followed on Twitter at @ccnyarts. Author Nina Crews can be followed on Instagram at @crewsnina, on Facebook at Nina Crews Children's Books and via her website www.ninacrews.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nina Crews has written and illustrated many energetic stories for young children including The Neighborhood Mother Goose and Below-both ALA Notable selections. Her books have been recognized by the Cooperative Children's Book Council, Junior Library Guild, and Bank Street College of Education. Her most recent books are The Neighborhood Sing-Along and Jack and the Beanstalk. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and son.

ABOUT THE CITY COLLEGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS:
The City College Center for the Arts hosts an ambitious, year-round calendar of student and professional performances. The mission of the City College Center for the Arts is to provide a creative arts center and focal point for the City College of New York, building a sense of community within the College, elevating the profile of Aaron Davis Hall in the greater New York area, and connecting the College to the surrounding community through the arts.

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