By Denise Gary
The Kids Need to Read 2014 wall calendar is presented by
Life Alert Emergency Response, Inc.
As we get ready to introduce the Kids Need to Read 2014 wall calendar at Phoenix Comicon, we proudly present the cover art for your enjoyment. Every piece of art we received from each of our twelve calendar artists was enchanting, making the effort to choose just one for the cover incredibly difficult. Each artist was instructed to incorporate a book or books into their illustration to highlight our mission. What we received was unbelievably imaginative art as unique as each artist’s style and perception.
Parents with Papyrus © Jason Horn
Parents with Papyrus by Jason Horn, author and illustrator of Kathryn the Chrononaut, Ninjasaur, and Gruff, was chosen to represent the spectacular artistry contained within the Kids Need to Read calendar. Jason’s unusual and bold creation caught everyone’s eye and was selected for how well it illustrated the Kids Need to Read tagline, “Inspiring Imagination.” Depicting writing in ancient times, the art piece emphasizes the bond reading and storytelling can engender between children and parents. The importance of surrounding children with a literature-rich home environment never changes throughout the millennia.
The remaining eleven calendar illustrations can be seen on our 2014 calendar web page. The pieces are all unique and equally inspiring. We thank all of the Kids Need to Read calendar artists for their dedication to the cause of childhood literacy, and for honoring our foundation with their valuable time and talent:
Mark Wayne Adams
Chris Gall
Marisa Grieco
Travis Hanson
Jason Horn
Jason T. Kruse
Jon S. Lewis
Jackie Morris
James A. Owen
Tony Parker
Steven Riley
Mike Woodcock
We also thank Hi-Fi Design of Surprise, Arizona for coloring the art of Jason T. Kruse and Jon S. Lewis, as well as Kate Finnegan for coloring the art of Tony Parker, and Jeremy Owen for coloring the art of James A. Owen.
We are immensely grateful to our calendar sponsor, Life Alert Emergency Response, whose generosity over the past four years has ensured that 100% of the funds generated by calendar sales will be used to further our mission. As always, our deep appreciation is extended to Dawn Russo for her continuing support of the calendar project throughout the years.
In addition to the calendar, Kids Need to Read produces fine art prints from the artists’ contributions. The KNTR 2014 calendars, as well as a selection of fine art prints, will be available for purchase in our eBay store on June 5, 2013. Calendars and fine art prints will also be available at KNTR’s Phoenix Comicon booth, May 23-26, 2013. Calendar contributor Steven Riley will be conducting the Kids Need to Read “Build-a-Book” project in the KNTR booth and will be available to sign calendars throughout the convention. Other calendar contributors with booths at the convention are Travis Hanson, Jon S. Lewis, James A. Owen, and Tony Parker. So, come enjoy Phoenix Comicon, make a donation for a 2014 calendar, and get them signed by these fine artists. They are perfect for libraries and classrooms—shining a bright light on literacy all year long!
