LITERATURE + LECTURES

Cool Brains! Inprint Readings for Young People presents an afternoon with award winning children’s writer T.A. Barron. Barron will read from and talk about his latest book, Ultimate Magic, the finale of the Merlin’s Dragon Trilogy. His presentation will be followed by a book sale and signing, giving audience members a chance to visit with the author.

Thomas A. Barron is a celebrated writer of children’s fantasy, having sold more than one million books. His skillful re-imagination of established legends has brought to life the Arthurian world for countless fans of all ages. His major works include The Lost Years of Merlin, The New York Times bestselling trilogy The Great Tree of Avalon, and many other novels, nature books, and children’s books.

In Ultimate Magic, Barron continues to fill in the gaps of Merlin’s life through the reptilian eye of the most powerful sidekick ever, Basil the Green Dragon. The action-packed, often humorous adventure will keep readers hooked until the last page and is sure to please lifelong fans and win over new ones.

T.A. Barron grew up in Colorado ranch country then traveled widely as a Rhodes Scholar. Though he'd dreamed of becoming a writer, he couldn't find anyone to publish his first novel. He joined a business, eventually became president, then decided to try again. He changed careers, moving back to Colorado to become a writer and conservationist. Since then, he has written over twenty powerful, poetic books, many of which are international bestsellers.

Passion for the wonders of nature, deep concern for humanity and our fragile planet, and belief in the heroic potential of every person, radiate through all T. A. Barron's books. His highly acclaimed work has garnered the Nautilus Award Grand Prize, given to books that inspire a better world, as well as many other honors from the American Library Association and the International Reading Association.

In the words of author Madeleine L'Engle, T.A. Barron's books are “a rare gift to be treasured for a lifetime.” Robert Redford declared that “T.A. Barron's appreciation for nature shines through” his "extraordinary" work. And Book Sense labeled his books “the best of the best that is being written in children's literature.”

Photo of T.A. Barron by Currie C. Barron.