Fall 2026 Lecture Series:
Cultural, Civic, and Church Life: Prospects for Renewal

Join us for a panel discussion and Advent Book Fair, featuring the approaches and work of prominent and emerging New England children’s illustrators, including Astrid Sheckels, the award-winning author and illustrator of the Hector Fox & Friends series (Islandport Press), the Sea Dog series (Down East Books), and more; Abigail Halpin, illustrator of Finding Wild, the Anne of Green Gables Early Reader Series (Penguin), Grimm’s Fairy Tales (Word on Fire), and numerous other children’s books; and newcomer and Thomas More College alumnus Ethan O’Connor ’17, illustrator of Go to St. Joseph! An Illustrated Litany (Sophia Press, 2026).

*This event begins at 7:00pm.

Astrid Sheckels cannot remember a time when she was not telling or illustrating stories, especially ones involving imaginary animals. A native of western Massachusetts, Astrid spent her childhood playing outside, using her imagination, and drawing. She is the author/illustrator of the award-winning Flora and the Jazzers, the Sea Dog books, and the Hector Fox and Friends series, and her illustrations can be found in the permanent collection of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Astrid has a background in fine art and now works as a full-time artist, writing and illustrating books alongside her thriving card business.
 
Abigail Halpin is an illustrator based in northern New England. Primarily a children’s book illustrator, she has also created artwork for magazines, fabric, and paper goods. Most recently her illustrations have appeared in “Grimms’ Fairy Tales,” published by Votive/Word on Fire.
 
Ethan O’Connor, who graduated from Thomas More College in 2017, is a managing editor at Sophia Institute for Teachers. He is the author and illustrator of St. Joseph, Pray for Us! An Illustrated Litany for Children.

Image: Spring Has Arrived by Ludwig Richter, courtesy Getty Open Content Program