Kid Friendly

Best-selling children’s book author Jan Brett is rolling into Spokane today in her aqua marine-blue tour bus decorated with giant-size illustrated rain forest animals.

Brett is stopping by Auntie’s Bookstore on Main and Washington at 4 p.m. today to talk with young readers, draw a few pictures and sign her newest book, “The Umbrella.”

With more than 28-million books in print, Brett has been popular with children and teachers for almost 20 years.

“She is a consistent seller,” said Auntie’s children’s book manager Tracy Isaacson. “Kids like her because the books are really fun, have great story lines and the detailed illustrations are just incredible.

“She pays just as much attention to the border work as she does to the main illustration,” said Isaacson. “Kids really like that they can pick up elements in the borders and be drawn back into the main picture.”

“If I have any talent,” said Brett when reached by telephone at her home in Massachusetts before she left on her 18-days road trip, “it is an ability to remember back to when I was maybe 6 or 7.”

Even then, Brett said, she knew she wanted to be an illustrator.

“I remember the special quiet of rainy days when I felt that I could enter the pages of my beautiful picture books,” she said. “But at the same time I would be frustrated and insulted if the books talked down to me. I promised myself that I would put in all the details necessary to draw kids into an imaginary world.”

Inspired by travel

Together with her husband, Joe Hearne, a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Brett loves to travel. They visit many different countries, where she researches the architecture and costumes that appear in her work.

“From cave paintings to Norwegian sleighs, to Japanese gardens,” she said, “I study the traditions of the many countries I visit and use them as a starting point for my children’s books.”

“The Umbrella,” was inspired by the Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica. In it, her lead character, Carlos, drops his banana-leaf umbrella on the ground to climb a tree for a better view of the animals. While he’s in the tree all the animals cram into his umbrella.

Brett uses watercolor and gouache to illustrate the vivid forest in wide horizontal scenes with leaf-shaped side panels.

At Aunties this afternoon, Brett will be drawing some of the rain forest animals.

‘The Umbrella’ tour

Spokane is the 12th stop on Brett’s whirlwind, cross-country promotional tour of 23 cities in 15 states.

“This is the second year we’ve toured by bus,” said Brett. “We like traveling by bus because it gets us into smaller markets without having to take multiple planes.”

Brett’s publishers, Penguin Group (USA), leased a luxury touring coach through Egotrips in Philadelphia.

“We primarily provide coaches for entertainers, bands and groups that go on tour,” said Jim Joyce, who manages Egotrips’ bus leasing division. “Jan is the first author we’ve worked with.”

Last year she toured in the same coach, a Prevost H3-45 that is 45 feet long and 13.3 inches high.

In addition to a living, dining and kitchen area up front, the bus features a master bedroom and a bathroom with shower in the rear. In the middle is a bunk section with sleeping facilities for the two professional drivers on the tour.

“In order to do two book signings in one day and then travel to the next city,” said Joyce, “two drivers are required for Jan’s schedule so they can keep moving.” By law, he said, professional drivers can only spend 10 hours driving each day.

“We call the bus she’s using a ‘star bus,’” said Joyce. “It’s for someone traveling with a small entourage.”

“It’s basically a ‘rock bus,’” said Brett, “and comes with black satin sheets and silvery, dramatic bed covers. I like a more cozy feel, so we change out the rock decor for a huge red Pendleton blanket, color shams and family pictures.

“Within a couple of hours it feels like home,” she said. “When I’m finished with a book signing, it becomes my little sanctuary.”

Book appearance at Auntie’s

Expect a crowd at Auntie’s Bookstore this afternoon. While all the 275 book-signing tickets are gone, said Isaacson, there is still a chance to see Brett give her talk. “I do suggest that people arrive at least an hour early,” she said.

For more information

“ Jan Brett’s popular Web site, www.janbrett.com, has 2,682 pages of free activities, coloring pages and projects.

“ “The Umbrella,” by Jan Brett (Putnam, $16.99) is available through local and online booksellers.

“ Egotrips can be reached at 2022 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 or by calling (215) 732-4974.

“ Auntie’s Bookstore is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Web site is www.auntiesbooks.com.

“ Prevost information is available online at www.prevostcar.com or by writing 35 Gagnon Blvd., Sainte-Claire, Quebec G0R 2V0; telephone (418) 883-3391.