Reading: Erik Brooks September 30, 2005

Erik Brooks, a 1994 Carleton graduate, former Northfield resident and the author of ?The Practically Perfect Pajamas,? will hold a reading and book signing on Friday, September 30, at 7 p.m. at River City Books, 306 Division Street South in downtown Northfield. Brooks will read passages from and sign copies of his books. The event is free and open to the public.

Authored and illustrated by Brooks, ?The Practically Perfect Pajamas? was published in 2000 and received critical notice. The story about a polar bear and his beloved pair of flannel pajamas captured the imagination of children across the country. Brooks? second work, ?Octavius Bloom and the House of Doom? (2003), is the story of a schoolyard detective called in to handle the mysterious case of a haunted house. Booklist praised ?The Practically Perfect Pajamas,? calling it ?a jolly tale with eye-popping illustrations,? while the School Library Journal celebrated ?Octavius Bloom,? saying that ?young mystery fans are sure to enjoy this humorous investigation.?

Brooks will publish two books in 2005. He illustrated Shirley Climo?s book ?Monkey Business: Stories from Around the World,? which was released in May. His latest book, ?Slow Days, Fast Friends,? will be released this month. It is the story of Howard, a fast cheetah who is forced to go slow when he hurts his leg. The story and art celebrate an unusual friendship as well as the beauty of life at a different pace.

Born in Madison, Wis., Brooks has lived in Alaska, Texas, Colorado and currently Winthrop, Washington. For a number of years, Brooks and his family lived in Northfield, where he was the assistant coach of Carleton men?s cross country and track and field. A studio art major in college, Brooks is a freelance illustrator and has illustrated several popular children?s books.

River City Books is a general interest bookstore in downtown Northfield. Home to a large selection of Carleton and St. Olaf clothing and gifts, the bookstore also carries a wide variety of quality literature, such as McSweeney?s Publishing titles. River City Books sponsors numerous events throughout the year for the Northfield community, bringing in celebrated authors for book signings and discussions.

For more information and disability accommodations, call River City Books in Northfield at (507) 646-7754.