Findlay, Ohio, Sept. 14, 2004 – The Mazza Museum at The University of Findlay will host a Fall Fling on Sunday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m. in the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion.

The event will feature Michael Monroe from Brighton, Mich., the artist of “A Wish to be a Christmas Tree.” This book was read by Katie Couric on the “Today” show, and it was made into an animated film shown on PBS. Monroe and his wife, Colleen, who wrote “A Wish to be a Christmas Tree,” also collaborated on “The Christmas Humbugs.”

Monroe also illustrated “M Is for Mitten: A Michigan Alphabet,” “Penny: The Forgotten Coin,” Buzzy the Bumblebee” and “Foursome the Spider.”

A book and gift sale and autographing session will follow Monroe’s address. Cost is $3. Call 419-434-4560 to register.

The Mazza Museum of International Art from Children’s Picture Books is the first and largest teaching gallery of its kind in the world. The museum was founded in 1982 with four pieces and was named for the first benefactors, Dr. August Mazza and his late wife, Aleda, alumni of the University. Today, the Mazza Museum contains more than 2,300 pieces of original artwork and conducts extensive educational programs to promote literacy and a lifelong appreciation of literature and the arts. More than 5,000 individuals visit the Museum each year.

The University of Findlay is a comprehensive university located in Findlay, Ohio, about 45 miles south of Toledo. With a total enrollment of 4,500 full-time and part-time students, The University of Findlay is noted for its innovative, career-oriented programs in more than 60 majors and eight master’s degrees. For more information, visit www.findlay.edu.