June 2, 2009

“The Eternal Smile”—Meet the graphic novelists
Olympia Timberland Library, June 12

Award-winning graphic novelists, artist Gene Luen Yang and writer Derek Kirk Kim, will talk about and sign their new book, “The Eternal Smile: Three Stories.” at the Olympia Timberland Library on Friday, June 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The book is geared to adults and teens. Copies will be available for purchase at the event.

“The stories in The Eternal Smile are an intriguing mix of fantasy and reality. Magic and soda pop bottles, talking frogs and television studios, fictional Nigerian royalty and Denny’s… the stuff of daydreams and of everyday life graphically collide in each story,” said librarian Sara Peté. The art style varies to complement each narrative.

Yang won the American Library Association's Printz Award for his book, American Born Chinese, and was a National Book Award finalist. Kim won both the Harvey and Eisner awards in 2004 for his book, Same Difference and Other Stories. The Eternal Smile has garnered high praise from professional literary critics.

Yang and Kim are the guests of honor at this year’s Olympia Comics Festival which takes place on Saturday, June 13. The festival Web site is www.olympiacomicsfestival.org/.

The Olympia Timberland Library is located at 313 8th Avenue SE, Olympia. For more information, contact the library at (360) 352-0595 or go to www.TRL.org.

Timberland Regional Library provides for the information, reading and lifelong learning needs of the Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston county public at 27 community public libraries and 7 library service partner locations. The library system is funded mainly by local property taxes. Anyone needing special accommodations to participate in a library’s program may contact the library one week in advance.

Revised 06/03/09