Award-winning children’s author Darcy Pattison explains the complex natural phenomena of an eclipse to children with her book Eclipse: How the 1919 Solar Eclipse Proved Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity. Pattison will read this book at several venues across campus on Eclipse Day 2024. Pattison will host Meet the Author sessions, and eclipse books will be given to children at the readings.
Pattison is an Arkansas native with several awards including, the Irma Black Honor award, five National Science Teachers’ Association Outstanding Science Trade Books, four Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book (California Reading Association).
These events and book distributions were funded by a grant from the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium. For questions email Dr. Deanna Kay Rice at dkrice@uca.edu.
Book Readings on April 8
- 9 a.m. Inclusive Reading for All Abilities, Lewis Science Center, Room 102
The reading will take place in an accessible room with consideration for children who have sensitivities to environmental stimuli. This reading is an inclusive event for families. A sign language interpreter will translate the verbal language to visual language while the pages of the book are projected on large screens for access to the text and pictures. - 10:30 a.m. Barkanalia, College of Business lawn
Darcy will be reading Eclipse on the main stage at Barkanalia. All dogs and humans are welcome! - 11:30 a.m. – Hall of Fame Room at Estes Stadium
- 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. Meet the Author, Estes Stadium STEM Outreach End Zone
Darcy will be in the STEM Outreach End Zone to autograph her book, Eclipse. Children will receive a free book copy of Eclipse, and fans will be able to ask questions and take photos.
About Darcy Pattison
Children’s book author and indie publisher Darcy Pattison writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Five books have received starred PW, Kirkus, or BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, four Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book (CA Reading Assn.), two Junior Library Guild selections, two NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book, a Best STEM Book, an Arkansiana Award (AR Library Assn), and the Susannah DeBlack Arkansas Children’s History Book award (AR Historical Society). She’s the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children’s literature. Her books have been translated into ten languages.
Just after her 10th birthday, Darcy’s family drove from New Mexico across Texas and Oklahoma and hit the Arkansas state line at Siloam Springs, where she discovered the color GREEN. Since then, she’s made her home in Arkansas, where she has floated the Buffalo River, explored wild caves, hiked trails on Mount Magazine, and skied Lake Ouachita. She can often be found riding the River Trail. Writing FRIDAY COMES ON TUESDAY, for Alice Walton and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art remains a highlight of her career.