Henderson County Schools
Media Release
Kentucky Humanities and Raymond B. Preston Family Foundation bring Children’s Author to Henderson
HENDERSON, Ky. (September 24, 2019) – As a part of the 2019 Kentucky Book Festival’s School Days, Kentucky Humanities and the Raymond B. Preston Family Foundation will bring children’s author and illustrator Amanda Driscoll to eight Henderson elementary schools.
The author visits will take place Tuesday, October 1 through Friday, October 4:
Tuesday, October 1, 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. at Spottsville Elementary
Tuesday, October 1, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Bend Gate Elementary
Wednesday, October 2, 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. at South Heights Elementary
Wednesday, October 2, noon-2 p.m. at Jefferson Elementary
Thursday, October 3, 8 a.m.-10 a.m. at AB Chandler Elementary
Thursday, October 3, noon-2 p.m. at Cairo Elementary
Friday, October 4, 8 a.m.-10 a.m. at Niagara Elementary
Friday, October 4, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at East Heights Elementary
Amanda Driscoll lives in Prospect and is a graphic designer and children's book author/illustrator. Books she has written and illustrated include Wally Does Not Want a Haircut, Klondike, Do Not Eat Those Cupcakes!, and Duncan the Story Dragon. In her presentation entitled “Don't Give Up!” she shares her journey from dreamer to published author, how she turned an idea into a published picture book, and the ups-and-downs along the way.
“When I was a kid, my school didn't have author visits,” said Driscoll. “I never even considered writing or illustrating as a career until middle-age, when I realized I had this passion hidden away. So I love it when kids come up to me and say, ‘Whoa. You're a real author?’ Partly because I feel like a superhero, but mainly because they see that authors are regular people, just like them. Then I get to say ‘Yes! And you can be, too!’ Hopefully by the end of my presentation, they have a better understanding of what authors and illustrators do, how they can be writers and artists right now, and that with perseverance anything is possible.”
More than 1,000 Henderson elementary students will participate in the program. Thanks to a generous grant from the Raymond B. Preston Foundation, each student will receive a copy of Duncan the Story Dragon and will have their book signed by Driscoll.
“Our vision is to inspire a love of reading in our students and we are thankful to Kentucky Humanities and the Preston Foundation for this opportunity for our students to meet author and illustrator Amanda Driscoll.” said Nancy Gibson, Henderson County Public Schools, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning.
“KBF School Days is one of my favorite programs that Kentucky Humanities sponsors,” said Bill Goodman, Kentucky Humanities executive director. “Giving Kentucky students the opportunity to interact with an author and to share in the love of reading and writing is something we feel passionate about. Being able to gift each child with a book of their own has positive impacts lasting far beyond that one day. We are thankful to the Raymond B. Preston Family Foundation for joining us in this memorable endeavor.”
Founded in 1990 by Raymond B. Preston, The Raymond B. Preston Family Foundation has given away more than $11 million to worthwhile organizations, primarily in the Henderson and Western Kentucky region.
“Literacy was one of the key priorities of Raymond & Hattie Preston in their philanthropic endeavors, and accordingly, reading and early learning programs continue to be one of the focuses of the Preston Family Foundation,” said Scott Davis, Preston Family Foundation Administrative Manager. “KBF School Days is well-aligned with the core values of the Preston Family Foundation, and we could not be more delighted to be a part of this initiative.”
KBF School Days is a student outreach program of the Kentucky Book Festival, taking place November 10-16 in Lexington. The Kentucky Book Festival would not be possible without sponsors, donors, and community partners. More information on the Festival, including a full list of sponsors, events, and authors can be found at https://www.kyhumanities.org/programs/kentucky-book-festival.
Kentucky Humanities is a non-profit Kentucky corporation affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. For information about Kentucky Humanities’ programs and services, visit kyhumanities.org.
Contact Henderson County Schools
Email: megan.mortis@henderson.kyschools.us
Website: www.henderson.kyschools.us
Location: 1805 2nd Street, Henderson, KY, USA
Phone: 270-831-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hendersoncountyschools/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @HendersonSchool