Kids Need to Read is honored to welcome author and illustrator Steven Riley to the foundation’s Advisory Council, where he joins author PJ Haarsma, actor Nathan Fillion, writer Margaret Bostrom, author/illustrator Jackie Morris, and author/illustrator James A. Owen, as well as two additional new council members, author Tom Leveen and author Janette Rallison. Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, Jim Henson, and Walt Disney were all Steven Riley’s childhood heroes, and are to this day. Reaching kids through imagination and entertainment while teaching them real life lessons is something he experienced through these men in his childhood, and something he continues in the lives of children touched by his books and programs. Steven is the author and illustrator of the Little Ty Cooney National Wonders series of children’s books. He has traveled the country for many years inspiring children everywhere with his highly entertaining and secretly educational programs. In his video blog, Steven teaches children how to draw animals and the natural world. He lives just outside Yosemite National Park with his wife, Julie and their two daughters, Peyton and Savannah.
Steven has been a longtime advocate of Kids Need to Read, often supporting the foundation through his children’s presentations, art contributions, and fundraising. The engaging entertainer has been a part of the foundation’s Phoenix Comicon activities for the past two years, and will lead the KNTR Build-a-Book project in the Kids Need to Read booth at Phoenix Comicon 2012.
Steven is also highly regarded for singing “Geeks of America” at the annual Kids Need to Read Geek Prom at Phoenix Comicon (sponsored by Bookmans), which he delivers in signature cheese style. There are few who could take on this difficult assignment and succeed, so Kids Need to Read is indeed fortunate!
Additionally, Steven contributes original art and quotes to KNTR’s annual wall calendars. Although it will not be officially unveiled until May, Steven’s latest calendar contribution was unanimously selected for the cover of the Kids Need to Read 2013 calendar. Just like Steven’s programs for children, the 2013 cover illustration is both whimsical and inspirational. A sneak peak is in order:
Steven also participated in the Kids Need to Read HIKRZ Jamboree, an outdoor literacy event staged at Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa, Arizona. Steven amused young and old alike relaying his hilarious, hair-raising bear encounter adventure, performing his famous fairy dance, and taking kids through the writing and illustrative process in a decidedly entertaining program.
Please join us in welcoming Steven Riley to the KNTR Advisory Council.
