Jim Aylesworth Reading

Jim Aylesworth, renowned children’s author, will visit Cosley Zoo and read some of his famous books, including the following: The Mitten, The Gingerbread Man, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Old Black Fly. Jim will be reading and signing books from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. There is no cost for the event; however, please bring a gently used or new book to donate to People’s Resource Center. Cosley Zoo is located at 1356 N. Gary Avenue in Wheaton. The Glen Ellyn Book Store will have a variety of Jim’s books on sale at the event. Refreshments will be provided by .

Jim Aylesworth was born in Jacksonville, Florida but moved to Hinsdale, Illinois when he was 15 years old, where he graduated from high school in 1961. In 1965, he graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a B.A. in English and returned to Hinsdale to begin a career as a stockbroker. In 1971, Aylesworth began teaching first grade students in Oak Park, Illinois. In 1971 and in 1978 he earned a graduate degree in elementary education from Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois. Jim Aylesworth and his wife Donna raised two sons in Hinsdale. In 1996, Aylesworth decided to write and visit schools full-time. The Aylesworths moved to Chicago where Jim continues to write. He travels extensively to speak to children in schools and at book events across the United States.

Aylesworth has received several awards including the Illinois State Board of Education’s award "Those Who Excel" and the "Governor's Master Teacher," Concordia University's "Alumnus of the Year," Hinsdale High School Hall of Fame recipient and Who's Who Among America's Teachers several times. 

People's Resource Center is a non-profit organization located in Wheaton, IL whose mission is "to respond to basic human needs, promote dignity and justice, and create a future of hope and opportunity for the residents of DuPage County, Illinois through discovering and sharing personal and community resources."

Glen Ellyn Bookstore’s mission is to serve the community by connecting readers of all ages and interests with the perfect book, to promote literacy and the joy of reading, and to provide a neighborhood gathering place where friends, customers and fellow readers can meet and share their interest in the written word. The Bookstore is proud to have been a vibrant part of the Glen Ellyn community for over 50 years.