Authors for Earth Day is a coalition of children's authors and illustrators who celebrate Earth Day, April 22nd, in classrooms from California to New York. We share  inspiring literacy programs, promote environmental awareness, and raise money to support conservation. Our inaugural 2010 event was a great success and we want to make 2011 even bigger!

On Friday, April 22nd 2011, each participating author and illustrator will generously donate their full-day speaking fee to a 501(c)(3) non-
profit conservation organization. The donation recipient will be decided by a student vote at the author’s scheduled school. This special one-day event is designed to empower kids to find their "voice" as writers and as voters, and to use that voice to help care for our blue planet.

The A4ED effort launched with a special donation by Jerry and Eileen Spinelli
Newbery author Jerry Spinelli seldom does school visits these days, yet he and his wife, award-winning author & poet Eileen Spinelli wanted to support our unique endeavor. After some reflection, the couple made a generous contribution to Bat Conservation International. I do have a soft spot for bats these days. We spend summers in Chautauqua, NY, where there are lots of bats and no mosquito bites. Bats are honored as the community “bird,”  wrote Jerry. All of us at Authors for Earth Day are grateful for the Spinellis’ environmental spirit—we hope their gift inspires eco-minded authors and illustrators to join the A4ED team! Jerry won the Newbery Medal for his teen novel Maniac Magee and later earned a Newbery Honor for Wringer. Eileen has written dozens of children’s books, garnering an extensive list of awards. Our sincere thanks to these stewards of literacy and landscape!

If you are a traditionally published author or illustrator, we hope you will join us and give students the power of voice to protect their future. If you are a librarian, media specialist, teacher or principal, please browse our schools page for more details and consider scheduling one of the talented professionals on our growing list of Available Authors & Illustrators. Let's work together to expand the educational and financial contributions of Authors for Earth Day in the coming years.