Andrew Katz (Faculty, English) is launching his latest children’s book May 10 at 10 AM at Le Renard Perché. Jackie’s Drawing is the English title, and the French version is called Le dessin de Charlie.

Andrew will be accompanied by the translator, Juliana Léveillé-Trudel, and will read the book in English and in French. Snacks and activities for kids will be on the menu!

Here is a description of the story, suitable for young readers aged 5-7 years old: When a rusty haze falls over a city, a young girl named Jackie keeps up her spirits by drawing whatever nature she can see from her window, including the mountain where she used to bring her sketchbook and draw all day. As the days wear on into weeks and months, Jackie eventually loses the heart to do anything, even to draw. But one day, in the canal below her window, a dolphin leaps into the air. Soon, a moose, an eagle and other animals begin to wander into the city—a sight that inspires Jackie to pick up her pencils again and create a drawing unlike any she has ever made. Poignantly illustrated in a bright painterly style, this ecological fable celebrates the resilience of both the natural world and human creativity, and will have young readers eager to head outdoors and do some drawing of their own.