Internationally renowned Illustrator Jon Klassen is best known for his best-selling Hat Box trilogy (I Want My Hat Back, This Is Not My Hat, We Found a Hat), among many other loved titles.

In celebration of the release of his highly anticipated The Rock From The Sky (published by Walker Books in the UK), the AOI is delighted to welcome Jon for an insightful and inspiring online event.

Joined by his Art Director and Candlewick Press Creative Director, Ann Stott, and chaired by AOI Membership Director Rachel Hill, the conversation will delve deep into the process of The Rock from The Sky, the evolution of Jon’s career so far, the important relationship between publisher and illustrator, and much more. The talk will be followed by a Q&A where we’ll take questions from the audience.

This event will be hosted on Demio. Once your ticket is booked look for your Confirmation e-mail; this will have further instructions of how to register and receive your unique link to attend the session (there is no need to sign up for a trial or an account)

All participants will instantly receive an exclusive 15% discount to signed printed copies of The Rock from the Sky, which will also include a limited edition print.

About:

Jon Klassen is the creator of the New York Times bestselling I Want My Hat Back and its companions This Is Not My Hat, which won a Caldecott Medal and a Kate Greenaway Medal, and We Found a Hat. He is also the illustrator of Extra Yarn, Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, Triangle, Square and Circle, all by Mac Barnett, and House Held Up by Trees by Ted Kooser. Originally from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Jon Klassen now lives in Los Angeles. Find him on Instagram as @jonklassen and Twitter as @burstofbeade.

Ann Stott is the Executive Creative Director at Candlewick Press, where she has designed and art directed many award-winning children’s books, including; the Caldecott Medal winner, This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen, the Caldecott Honor book, Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett and the Caldecott Honor book, Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein, as well the Judy Moody series by Megan McDonald. Ann is also a children’s book author. She has written several picture books, including Always illustrated by Matt Phelan, Do You Want to Play Trucks? illustrated Bob Graham and What to Do When You Are Sent to Your Room illustrated by Stephen Gilpin. Her latest picture book, Nana Says I’ll Be Famous One Day, illustrated by Andrew Joyner, was published by Candlewick Press in the summer of 2020. Ann lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.

The AOI implements the principle of inclusivity and doesn’t wish to turn away participants for lack of funds. If you are interested in taking part but are financially limited, we have a limited number of free bursary places we’d like to offer to those who need it most. E-mail us at [email protected] to be considered. Please note that we will consider and review each case individually.

This event is presented by the AOI in partnership with Walker Books, and with thanks to West End Lane bookshop.