The Academy of American Poets is pleased to announce that Boston Globe–Horn Book Award-winning illustrator MAIRA KALMAN designed the official celebratory poster for National Poetry Month, April 2017. Each year the organization distributes a poster free-of-charge to over 100,000 schools, libraries, and bookstores nationwide for their April celebrations.
Known to draw from her own life story and all of its absurdities, Kalman was selected by renowned graphic designer Chip Kidd on behalf of the Academy of American Poets.
“Maira Kalman is the perfect choice to create the National Poetry Month poster,” said Chip Kidd. “She is the John Ashbery of painted illustration, whimsical and haunting, but with more dogs and pastry. Which is always a good thing.”
National Poetry Month, created and organized by the Academy of American Poets, is the largest literary celebration in the world with millions of people celebrating poetry in their communities each April.
The Academy of American Poets provides special lesson plans for teachers during the month, promotes local events, and distributes the official National Poetry Month poster through partnerships with the American Booksellers Association, the American Library Association, and the National Council of Teachers of English. The poster is also available for free upon request on the organization’s website, Poets.org.