DENISE GALLAGHER + LAFAYETTE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Each September, the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide remind students, parents, and caregivers that signing up for a library card is the first step on the path to academic achievement and lifelong learning. To add to the excitement, libraries issue limited-edition library cards.
Denise Gallagher was commissioned to create the art for this year’s limited-edition library card for the Lafayette Public Library in her home of Lafayette, Louisiana. Denise is a published author and illustrator for children, so this project was a perfect fit for her and she was thrilled at the opportunity to inspire a love of reading.
Denise’s illustration features a child whose imagination has been sparked by a story and is engaging in a fantastical book party along with whimsical characters, confetti, butterflies, and a spot of tea.
When asked how she became interested in drawing and picture books, Denise replied, “My mom was a kindergarten teacher. As a child, I remember reading the books in her classroom library and being inspired to
create my own characters and stories. As I grew, my love of picture books never waned. The stories, the characters, the color, the magic — these are what fill my creative heart with joy and continue to inspire me.”
