News Release

San Francisco – In a very special appearance, on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 Chris Van Allsburg, author of Jumanji, Zathyra and the holiday classic Polar Express, will visit the San Francisco Public Library for a family evening of discussion and storytelling. Van Allsburg’s classic, Polar Express, will be read in conjunction with visual illustrations from the book by Mary Norris, one of the Library’s children’s librarians and noted storyteller. Van Allsburg will follow Norris in a discussion about his inspirations for Polar Express and the process of turning a book into a movie.

Over the years parents, educators and children have been loyal readers of Van Allsburg’s books, whose works have unique styles—neither simplistic nor formulaic—and appeal to diverse audiences. Van Allsburg’s books often challenge the notion of “What if?” spurring thoughts of creativity and imagination that run vividly throughout each page of his books. Polar Express, opening mid-November in more than 5,000 theaters nationwide, is not the first of his books to be made into a feature film; Jumanji brought to life Van Allsburg’s talent in a 1995 box office favorite that featured San Francisco’s own Robin Williams.

Families are encouraged to attend the All Aboard the Polar Express with Chris Van Allsburg event in the Main Library’s Koret Auditorium on November 17 at 6:00 p.m. Van Allsburg books will be available for purchase and immediately following the event Van Allsburg will sign copies of books that he authored. For more information, please call 415-557-4277.