Featured 2025 CALF illustrator and author
All About Matt Phelan
Matt Phelan (pronounced “FAIL-en”) is an award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author/illustrator of picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, and graphic novels for young readers. His four-book Plum chapter book series is about a young peacock whose adventures are funny, hopeful, and always kindhearted.
Matt has received the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (The Storm in the Barn), the Carolyn Field Award (Around the World and Snow White), the Jefferson Cup (Bluffton), and has been nominated for five Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, including best writer/artist and best new graphic album for Bluffton. In 2014, Matt was awarded the Free Library of Philadelphia/Drexel University Children's Literature Citation.
In addition to his own books, Matt has illustrated many books by renowned authors including Flora's Very Windy Day by Jeanne Birdsall, Marilyn's Monster by Michelle Knudsen, Xander's Panda Party by Linda Sue Park, and The Higher Power of Lucky (winner of a Newbery Medal) by Susan Patron.
ART EXHIBIT:
Leave It to Matt!: Picture Books & Graphic Novels by Matt Phelan
Opening at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature at 3 p.m. June 12, 2025 and on exhibit through Sept. 13, 2025.
DINNER:
Friday, June 13. This special dinner hosted by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL). Matt will sign books at this event. Tickets at nccil.org/calf
WORKSHOP:
9-9:45 am and 10-10:45 am Saturday in the art studio.
Cost is $5 for NCCIL members and $20 per child for non-members
Matt will sign books for workshop registrants
Limited spots. Register at nccil.org/calf
BOOK SIGNINGS:
Thursday night, June 12 at Paramount Theatre
Friday morning at NCCIL Gallery from 9 to 11 am although the line will get cut off early to accommodate the signing ending on time.
Saturday morning for workshop registrations in NCCIL Studio
Friday night during dinner at NCCIL
June 6 - Deadline for NCCIL members to leave their books to be pre-signed
About the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature
The NCCIL (pronounced “nickel”) is located at 102 Cedar St. in downtown Abilene and collaborates with award-winning illustrators to produce exhibitions of their artwork that are distinctive, appealing to museum visitors of all ages, and of the highest quality. In addition to this unique artistic partnership, following its debut at the NCCIL gallery, each exhibition travels to museums, public libraries, and galleries nationwide. To the local community, the NCCIL offers:
Opportunities to meet visiting artists during exhibition opening events
FREE family art activities every Saturday from 10 AM-1 PM
Instructed exhibition tours for students
Annual workshops and art camps
Books signed by exhibiting artists