UPDATE, Sept. 24: This event is being rescheduled to a later date. The rescheduled date will be shared when it is confirmed.
Best-selling author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, a 1983 alumnus of Fitchburg State University, will return to the campus for an artist residency with students, faculty and community members (at a date to be determined).
Reynolds’ works, including The Dot, The Word Collector and Say Something!, have inspired children of all ages with their messages of authentic learning, creativity, bravery, empathy, and courageous self-expression. He is also the illustrator of the best-selling I Am series written by Susan Verde, as well the Judy Moody series written by Megan McDonald, which has now over 40 million copies in print worldwide.
Reynolds, who studied communications media at Fitchburg State, will visit classrooms at the McKay Elementary School on the university campus before taking part in a public forum in the main lounge of Hammond Hall. University President Donna Hodge will moderate the discussion.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration that began when teacher Terry Shay introduced his classroom to Reynolds’ book The Dot on Sept. 15, 2009. The Dot is the story of a caring teacher who dares a doubting student to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to “make her mark.” What begins with a small dot on a piece of paper becomes a breakthrough in confidence and courage, igniting a journey of self-discovery and sharing, which has gone on to inspire countless children and adults around the globe.
Earlier this year, Reynolds made an appearance on the lawn of the White House to perform as narrator of the TheaterWorksUSA production of DOT DOT DOT: A New Musical, an adaptation of three of his books about creativity, The Dot, Ish and Sky Color published by Candlewick Press/Walker Books, also known as the Creatrilogy. Performances of the show, featuring Reynolds and the musical’s talented young actors, were part of the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.
In addition to his celebrated books, Reynolds is the founder of the Boston-based educational media development firm FableVision Studios, which creates animations, interactives, and game-based learning apps for organizations such as PBS Kids, National Geographic, Smithsonian, Nickelodeon, and Library of Congress. Reynolds also launched FableVision Learning, whose mission is to help educators inspire their students to develop and strengthen their skills in creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and compassion. With his twin brother, Paul, Reynolds also founded the Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning, and Creativity, which just opened the doors on its new creativity recharge center in Dedham, Mass. called TLC Studios. And, because he didn’t have enough to keep him busy, Reynolds also launched a children’s book, toy and creativity store The Blue Bunny, which is celebrating 21 years this October.