From: Mike Counter, St. Norbert College, www.snc.edu, 920-403-3089, mike.counter@snc.edu
EDITOR’S NOTE: Photo(s) of the author, book cover and interviews are available upon request. Contact Mike Counter at mike.counter@snc.edu.
DE PERE, WIS.: St. Norbert College Press recently published “Norby the College Mascot,” written and illustrated by St. Norbert alumnus Nick Patton.
The hardcover, 32-page picture book for children ages 3-8 features St. Norbert College’s own mascot, Sir Norbert the Green Knight – affectionately known as Norby.
The book takes a whimsical look at Norby’s search for his true calling, as he assumes various roles on campus. Patton’s illustrations highlight many of the iconic buildings and settings on the college’s De Pere grounds.
About the Author
Nick Patton is an author and illustrator of children’s books: “Norby the College Mascot” is his first. He is also a graphic designer in the communications office at the college.
Patton studied art at St. Norbert and started his graphic-design career there in 2003. In 2010, he designed Norby Knight, the college mascot and the protagonist of the new book.
Patton has also studied story writing at the Institute of Children’s Literature and illustration at Schoolism. He is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
His illustrations are digitally created in Adobe Photoshop using traditional painting techniques.
Patton lives in Sheboygan, Wis. He grew up in De Pere, where he spent his childhood drawing football players from his dad’s old Green Bay Packers yearbooks.
“Norby the College Mascot” is available at the St. Norbert College Bookstore, online at http://snc.edu/go/norbybook, and will also be offered during the summer’s “Knights on the Fox” concerts. The five-week music series will be held on the St. Norbert College campus behind the Ray Van Den Heuvel Family Campus Center on Tuesday evenings beginning July 9 and ending with the last show on August 6. All five concerts are free and open to the public.
Upcoming Book Events
Reading at “Knights on the Fox” summer concert series
Tuesday, July 9
St. Norbert College, Campus Center
Readings with author-illustrator Patton and Norby at 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
Coloring activity at “Knights on the Fox” summer concert series
Tuesday, July 23,
St. Norbert College, Campus Center
Activity from 6-7:15 p.m.
All children will receive an activity sheet with a picture of Norby to color. They will also get an opportunity to participate in a large art project based on the book’s theme.
Various activities
SNC Day, Saturday, Sept. 21,
St. Norbert College, Mulva Library
Coloring activity at 10 a.m.
Reading with author-illustrator Patton and Norby at 11 a.m.
Book signing and honorary “knightings” from 11:30-1 p.m.
Books will be signed by the author-illustrator and stamped by Norby stamp with his official seal. Young recipients will also be “knighted” by Norby as honorary Green Knights.
Visit Patton online at www.nickpatton.com. Contact him by emailing nick.patton@snc.edu, or calling 920-403-3504.
