June 2010 Small Graces Auction to Begin on June 7th

In 2009, the talented and generous author/illustrator Grace Lin donated 11 original paintings to the Foundation for Children's Books to be auctioned on eBay as a benefit for our programs in under-served schools.

Grace Lin

This year, we are fortunate enough to have 12 different illustrators contributing to our "Small Graces" auction. Each month a small, unpublished, original painting will be auctioned on eBay with 100% of the proceeds to support the FCB's author/illustrator visits and residencies in urban schools. Each painting will illustrate a bit of wisdom, a proverb, or a "small Grace."

This month's painting (below), a gorgeous, signed watercolor by Leo Landry with a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson--"The sky is the ultimate art gallery just above us"--will be on auction beginning Monday, June 7 through Friday, June 11. (I will post the eBay link on Monday.) For those who find original art from children's books beyond their budget, this is a great way to buy affordable art. Please spread the word and bid!

Leo Landry has illustrated 10 books for children, six of which he also wrote. Before becoming an author/illustrator of these bright and playful books, he was a friendly face to many at the Children's Book Shop in Brookline, MA where he worked for 20 years.

Don't forget:
You can purchase high-quality, hand-signed prints of three of Grace Lin's 2009 paintings online at the Child at Heart Gallery. The cost is $25, they make wonderful gifts, and half of the proceeds will support the Foundation for Children's Books.