Sep 13, 2007
Redding
Adrienne Riso: Author book to her son
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by FRAN SIKORSKI
A member of the Society of Illustrators since 1991 and an art teacher, Adrienne Riso of Redding has now ventured into another field — her first children’s book has just been published.
Ms. Riso has enjoyed a career as an art director in New York City and has taught art to children of all ages at various art centers and public schools. A single parent, Ms. Riso said during a recent interview at the Mark Twain Library that her greatest joy has been raising her son Anthony, now 12. She was inspired by him when he was two years old to write and illustrate her recently published children’s story, The Little Leap Frog. She has already been encouraged to write a sequel.
Released by PubishAmerica in July, The Little Leap Frog is the fanciful and imagined journey of a two-year-old boy who, in his sleep, leaps and hops all around the bed, the same bed that he crawled into to be with his mom one night. Jostled awake by the activity of her son, the mother can only imagine the adventures of her “little leap frog” throughout the night.
“I love writing because it’s like painting,” said Ms. Riso, who has exhibited her art in several group shows in New York City. “I’ve also been working on a novel for a long time, but getting an agent’s attention has not been easy. Publishers don’t want manuscripts by unknowns,” said Ms. Riso, who has been writing other fanciful children’s stories.
“Children’s books today are wonderful, and actors, sports people and others who are well known have been writing them. My Little Leap Frog is different because my son was the inspiration and the story is told by an adult, and response to the book encourages me to continue writing,” said Ms. Riso. She is planning to introduce her book at schools and libraries.
Originally from Wikes-Barre, Pa., Ms. Riso attended SUNY in New Paltz, receiving a bachelor’s degree in art education, and a master’s at the College of New Rochelle. Before moving to Redding, she lived in Stamford, Westport and Weston. Her sister, Danette Riso, an actress, also lives in Redding.
PublishAmerica, home of 20,000 authors, is a traditional publishing company whose primary goal is to encourage and promote the works of new, previously undiscovered, writers.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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