HU alum’s artwork featured in new children’s book
FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Anderson, Ind. - The artwork of HU graduate Christian Elden (2002) has been featured in a recent children's title from publisher Warner Press, titled "Petunia Pepper's Picture Day." The story helps children understand, at an early age, that mistakes are not fatal, outward appearance isn't everything and we all have special abilities that can be used to help others. Every year, disaster strikes on Petunia Pepper's school picture day. Puffy hair, pumpkin-style smiles and pink eye help create pictures that only her family could love. But this year, Petunia promises herself things are going to change. She plans carefully for the perfect picture day, but a series of misadventures on the way to school lead to yet another picture day fiasco. Petunia thinks her perfect picture is ruined, but when her photo is on the front page of the local newspaper in honor of her heroic rescue of a poodle, she finally has a picture everyone in her class loves.
As a guidance counselor, "Petunia" author Cathy Breisacher knows how important it is for people to feel appreciated and loved. Because of her experiences, she wanted to create a story in which the reader could root for the main character and hope with her that she would get what she wants - people to like and want her picture, but more importantly, people to appreciate her. In a larger sense, Breisacher hopes that readers will understand their great worth in God's eyes and know that God doesn't see us the same way we see ourselves. "Petunia Pepper's Picture Day" features a "Time Out for God's Word" page that parents and teachers can use to reinforce the biblical foundations of the story with children.
Warner Press has chosen to publish this book in response to the fact that children in both Christian and non-Christian families are suffering from a lack of self-esteem. With the addition of this new book to their children's offerings, Warner Press editors hope children will discover at an early age that God has a plan for their lives, and that they were created perfectly by a God who loves them and wants the best for them. The book is designed to be a tool to help lay the foundation for healthy self-esteem and self-image, which is more likely to bridge the way for a child to experience God's love and grace and accept Jesus as Savior.
"Petunia Pepper's Picture Day" (ISBN: 978-1-59317-397-5) was released July 1 at retailers nationwide and online. The book will also be shown at the HU Visual Arts Alumni Exhibit, Sept. 10 through Oct. 7. If you'd like to schedule an artist's book signing or want more information about this and other titles from Warner Press, contact Regina Jackson at (765) 608-3025 or visit www.warnerpress.org.
About the author
Cathy Breisacher, author of "Petunia Pepper's Picture Day," has been a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators since 2000. Ever since elementary school, she has enjoyed writing stories and has had a fascination with fun, humorous and meaningful children's books. She graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with bachelor's and master's degrees, along with a certification in school counseling; then completed two writing courses through the Institute for Children's Literature. Cathy and her husband, Chuck, are the youth leaders at their church and enjoy writing youth lessons and skits for their group.
About the illustrator
Since the first grade when his teacher photocopied his drawings for the rest of the students to color, Christian Elden has been hooked on drawing pictures for others to enjoy. Today, he's an award-winning designer, illustrator and published author with the goal of sparking the imaginations of children everywhere, in much the same way that his was sparked long ago. He and his wife, Liz, reside in Indiana with their two young children.
Elden Creative Group, Inc. is a multidisciplinary creative company specializing in design for print and web, logos & identity systems, branding, illustration, copywriting, and specialized public relations. For more information, visit www.eldencreativegroup.com.
