Findlay, Ohio – Children’s book author and illustrator Patricia Polacco will speak at The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. in the Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion.

Her talk is part of the 2005 Mazza Weekend Institute, Nov. 11-12.

Polacco has written more than 30 books since her first book, “Meteor,” was published in 1987. Growing up with dyslexia and dysnumeria, Polacco worked hard in school as child.  Her family encouraged her to dream and use her imagination. Her stories are based on true stories and experiences from her Russian and Ukrainian family.  Polacco’s illustrations are dramatic and energetic and often done with pencil, pastels, acrylic paints, oil paints and colored markers.

Some of Polacco’s other works include “Uncle Vova’s Tree,” “Babushka Baba Yaga,” “Just Plain Fancy” and “Some Birthday.”

Located in the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion on the UF campus, the Mazza Museum of International Art from Picture Books is in the middle of a $2.2 million campaign to raise funds for an 11,000-square-foot-addition. The addition will provide more space for educational programs and for the preservation and protection of its artworks. Completion of the addition is scheduled for 2007.

For more information about this free, public event, contact the Mazza Museum at 419-434-5221.