Dec. 15
TIMELESS TALES
Everyone has at least one book from childhood that floods them with intense nostalgia.
For some, it's Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown or The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. For others, a title by Jan Brett may bring a tear to the eye while remembering the charming, detailed illustrations of woodland animals in favorites like The Mitten or the snarky runaway gingerbread man from Gingerbread Baby.
Brett, 74, has been writing and illustrating children's picture books since 1978. She's created over 40 titles with over 44 million in print and doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon. On Dec. 15, she rolls through Spokane on the last stop of a 23-city tour for her newest book, Alice in a Winter Wonderland, based on the classic Lewis Carroll tale.
"I do a lot of detail so I could put a lot of fun things in there," Brett says. "Lewis Carroll loved puzzles and math, so I tried to honor him in the illustrations."
Yes, the book is based on Alice in Wonderland, but Brett takes Alice and plops her in Alaska. She dons traditional Inuit clothing and encounters extinct flightless birds and other animals not found in Carroll's original story.
Brett is well known for her intricate border illustrations that wrap around each page of her books. There, kids often find easter eggs of moments to come or small details only noticeable to those who seek them out. For Alice in a Winter Wonderland, Brett drew playing cards and whimsical animals in the borders as a nod to Carroll.
Similarly, Brett swapped the caterpillar's hookah for a double bass as a nod to her husband's career as a bassist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and made the caterpillar play a very esoteric etude that only a seasoned bassist would recognize.
"It's the best feeling ever when you're a little kid and you find something the illustrator put in the book and you feel like you're the only one who noticed," Brett says. "It makes them feel so special. It also teaches them that it's really good to be observant because look what you can discover!"
While researching for Alice in a Winter Wonderland, Brett visited Alaska's Mendenhall Glacier in order to experience for herself what she wanted to write about. In the story, Alice explores a glacier and falls into what's known as a moulin, the internal structure of a glacier. Rather than being afraid or worried, Alice lets her imagination run wild and meets new friends as she explores the whimsical underworld.
Brett became fascinated with the underground "world" that exists beneath glaciers and let her imagination take her on a journey.
"When I looked down into this moulin it was blue and green and it looked like it went down forever," she says. "I didn't want to get too close. What if you slipped in?"
Brett thinks people of all ages resonate with her books because she herself has a perpetual sense of childlike wonder.
"I loved being 6 years old," she says. "I love that sense of discovery. I had this really wonderful childhood with all of these animals and this great big barn. So I guess when I do my books, it brings me back to that time when you jump out of bed so full of energy and nothing is hard to do. You're just happy and full of discovery." ♦
10 am • Free admission; $20 for a signed copy • Central Library • 906 W. Main Ave. • auntiesbooks.com
Dec. 12
CUP OF JOY
The vessels out of which we drink are highly personal. Your hand must comfortably fit around the mug, its texture must feel smooth upon your lips, and, of course, it has to fit the owner's personality. Trackside Studio's annual Cup of Joy show is the perfect place to pick up your new favorite coffee or tea mug. Local and regional ceramic artists create four mugs each to sell to eager ceramics enthusiasts or those looking for a gift that's sure to be a smashing success. Artists for 2024 include Io Palmer, Sarah Anderson, Sam Scott and many more. In-person sales begin on Fri, Dec. 6, from 5-8 pm and continue through Sat, Jan. 11. Online sales begin Sat, Dec. 7, at 8 am.
Wed-Fri from 11 am-5 pm through Jan. 11 • Free admission; cup prices vary • Trackside Studio • 115 S. Adams St. • tracksidestudio.net
Dec. 13
THE SNOW QUEEN
Danish author Hans Christian Andersen wrote many highly acclaimed fairy tales in his day like The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina and The Ugly Duckling, but The Snow Queen is his most beloved winter classic. Adapted into a dance production by Ukraine's Grand Kyiv Ballet, the wondrous, wintry tale is set to the music of Edvard Grieg, Jules Massenet, Mozart and Vivaldi and features cherished characters like Kai, the Snowman, Gerda and, of course, the fierce Snow Queen. Experience the touching tale of family, love and holiday joy performed by the company's impressive soloists and principal dancers.
7 pm • $40-$90 • First Interstate Center for the Arts • 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. • firstinterstatecenter.org
Dec. 14
BRRZAAR
As the holidays approach, winter art markets become more and more plentiful. Brrzaar is one you definitely won't want to miss. With over 70 local vendors, Brrzaar is Spokane's largest all-local art market featuring unique handmade items. Alongside the incredible handmade goods, Brrzaar also includes live musical performances, family-friendly activities and the invaluable opportunity to support local artists during the busy holiday season. Not to mention, it's the perfect place to find heartfelt gifts for your friends and family. Expect to see local favorites like Goblin Pottery, Lucent Clay, Amber Wyckoff and many more. Happy shopping!
10 am-8 pm • Free admission • River Park Square • 808 W. Main Ave. • terrainspokane.com
Dec. 16
HOLIDAY COOKIE
DECORATING
Jamie Roberts has been taking the local cookie scene by storm with her business, Three Birdies Bakery, since 2018. Roberts creates tasty sugar cookies adorned with adorable designs made out of royal icing. These almost-too-beautiful-to-eat treats graced the cover of our latest issue of Health & Home magazine, and now could grace the spread at your next holiday gathering! This class led by Roberts gives you all the tools you need to ice your holiday cookies like a pro. Learn how to make royal icing, create the designs and then take home a half dozen cookies for your friends and family... or just for yourself!
4-6:30 pm • $85 • The Kitchen Engine • 621 W. Mallon Ave. • thekitchenengine.com
Dec. 17
ORNAMENT & SMALL WORKS SHOW
Here in the Inland Northwest, we're lucky to be surrounded by a plethora of art in our everyday lives. Take a stroll through downtown Spokane and you'll see public art pieces like "The Joy of Running Together" or the big red Radio Flyer wagon in Riverfront Park, formally named "The Childhood Express." It's easy to appreciate large public art projects, but what about the little things? Spokane Art School's annual ornament and small works show aims to appreciate the small things in life. All work featured in the invitational is 12-by-12-inches or smaller, making it a great opportunity to purchase more than a few pieces from favorite local artists like Liz Bishop, Megan Perkins, Karen Mobley, Collista Krebs and many more.
Mon-Sat from 10 am-5 pm through Dec. 23 • Free admission • Spokane Arts School • 503 E. Second Ave. • spokaneartschool.net
Dec. 18
MANITO
HOLIDAY LIGHTS
Manito Park is a Spokane gem. In the spring and summer, flowers are blooming and trees are as verdant as ever. Fall brings vibrant autumnal colors and lovely brisk strolls. Winter, however, brings dazzling lights and stunning displays of holiday cheer thanks to the Friends of Manito. This year, the annual holiday light attraction is walk-through only and has a modified footprint that's yet to be revealed. Experience the holiday spirit with friends and family as you make your way through Manito Park while sipping hot cocoa and basking in the glory of sparkling lights.
Dec. 14-22 from 4:30-8:30 pm • Free • Manito Park • 1800 W. Grand Blvd. • thefriendsofmanito.org
