KIDS & FAMILIES

The 17th annual Family Trees: A Celebration of Children’s Literature at the Concord Museum in historic Concord, Massachusetts gives Concord’s renowned literary tradition a creative twist. From November 21, 2012 through January 1, 2013, the Museum’s galleries are filled with 36 fanciful trees of all shapes and sizes, decorated with original ornaments inspired by acclaimed children’s storybooks and contemporary picture book favorites.

The Concord Museum is pleased to welcome a distinguished mother-daughter team as this year’s Honorary Chairs for Family Trees. Award-winning author Jane Yolen has been called "the Hans Christian Andersen of America." She has written around 300 books, 4590 poems, and 3452 short stories! Her daughter, Heidi E.Y. Stemple, has published more than a dozen books and numerous short stories and poems, mostly for children.

On Saturday, December 15, during a special "Afternoon with Authors & Illustrators," meet Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple and some of the other esteemed authors and illustrators whose books are featured in Family Trees, including Ilse Plume, Grace Lin, Jeannie Brett, and Lynn Plourde. Stroll through the galleries to enjoy the trees and visit with authors and illustrators as they sign your books. For a complete schedule of appearances, please go to www.concordmuseum.org. Books are available for purchase in the Museum Shop. 1:00-4:00 p.m.; the Author/Illustrator Afternoon is free with Family Trees admission.