CHILDREN’S AUTHOR COMING TO DIST. 129, AURORA UNIVERSITY

Katherine Hannigan, author of the children’s novel, “Ida B: and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World,” will visit two Dist. 129 schools and Aurora University on Tuesday, April 12 and Wednesday, April 13. Hannigan will visit the Partnership School on the university campus during the day on Tuesday to meet with the Freeman Elementary School and the McCleery Elementary School 4th grade students. McCleery’s 4th graders will attend the Partnership School next year as the first class of 5th grade students.

Hannigan will speak at 7:30 Tuesday evening at the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society for Educators event in the University Banquet Hall, and then will speak to Fearn Elementary School students on Wednesday, April 13. At each presentation, she will discuss how “Ida B” came to be, where her ideas come from and her writing process. She will also do book signings.

Hannigan’s “Ida B” is intended for readers age 9 and up. Publishers Weekly says of the work, “This insightful, seemingly intuitive first novel digs deep inside the soul of 9-year-old narrator Ida B Applewood....Hannigan shows a remarkable understanding of a stubborn child's perspective in her honest, poignant portrayal of loss and rebirth.”

Hannigan was raised in western New York State and earned degrees in education, mathematics, and art. She has worked as the education coordinator for a Head Start program and, most recently, as an assistant professor of art and design. She lives in northeast Iowa. "IDA B came to be, in large part, because of my move to the Midwest,” says Hannigan. “Hers is the life I would have chosen, if I could have. And I think I try to live up to her example -- brave and true, full of fun, and fiercely loving."

Tickets for the Kappa Delta Pi event are available by contacting Dr. Carol Viola at Aurora University at 630-844-4940. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $7.50 for students. Books will be available for purchase. The event will include the presentation of the “Honor an Educator” award, which will be given to a local teacher. This year the focus of the award is in the area of teaching writing. The winner will receive a monetary gift from Kappa Delta Pi and an award certificate. All teachers nominated will be recognized at the event.

Contact: Judy Cheatham, interim community relations director for West Aurora Schools, jcheatham@sd129.org or (630) 301-5058.