Archive: Around Town

The Lansing Library will be celebrating “Children’s Book Week” by having a free public presentation on Saturday, November 19 at 10:00 a.m. in the Lansing Town Hall. This is a special celebration honoring Matt Christopher. The library currently has 34 of his books on the shelves for circulation. Matt was a local resident for many years and is well known as a children’s author. The Matt Christopher web site www.mattchristopher.com describes Matt in promotional material for a biography written by his son Dale Christopher:

"Behind the Desk With Matt Christopher: The #1 Sportswriter for Kids by Dale Christopher In 1954, Matt Christopher wrote and published The Lucky Baseball Bat and has since published more than one hundred twenty novels, making him the most prolific and bestselling sportswriter for children ever. With over 6 million copies sold, Matt's books have a permanent place in the hearts of young sports fans. Throughout 2004, we celebrate 50 years with Matt Christopher's own commemorative biography written by his son, Dale, in the tradition of the Matt Christopher Biography Bookshelf, with exclusive photos, original letters, and memorabilia."

This celebration will consist of a live presentation (from www.mattchristopher.com) by Dale Christopher, the “son of the prolific author Matt Christopher who has written well over 130 sports stories for kids. Dale is a New York State Certified Teacher and a member of the New York State Reading Association and the Children’sLiterature Connection. He is a performer for the Arts in Education programs in New York State BOCES areas.

He has performed in schools across the country. He was featured on National Public Radio’s show “All in the Game” and was on ABC in Albany, NY and a visiting author at the I-READ Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dale has been touring the country encouraging readers and nonreaders to read, through his Dad’s books. He is listed in the Little-Brown Children’s Book Publishing Company, Author’s and Illustrators catalogue. In October 2004, Dale's first book Behind the Desk With… Matt Christopher, was published. (Little Brown). A biography of his Dad.

The Program: Dale’s stories include periods of his Dad’s life and how he started writing. He also talks about the process of writing and his own involvement working with his Dad. Dale talks emphasize his father’s life values and the many joys of reading. He brings precious mementos to share with his audience and wears a vintage 1938 New York Yankee uniform, depicting the era that his Dad played for a semiprofessional New York Yankees team.”

A book dedication will follow as Matt’s son Marty Christopher, councilman for the Town of Lansing, donates his complete personal collection of his father’s books to the library in a ribbon cutting ceremony.

There will be books for sale, book signings and refreshments. It will be a great community experience for all ages. Mark your calendar and attend.

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