North Adams Illustrator Has Big Picture in NYC

Staff reportsiBerkshires
12:32PM / Friday, November 06, 2009Print Story | Email Story

Jana Christy illustrated a children's book commissioned by the Carnival Cruise Line.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Book illustrator Jana Christy's biggest tome to date — the 15-foot high "Dream Big" — was unveiled at Rockefeller Center in New York this morning.

The North Adams resident worked on the children's book for Carnival Cruise this summer to coincide with its new family-friendly Carnival Dream, launched in September and the largest ship in the line. The inspiration for the book came from "dreams" of children who'd sailed on the cruise line.

Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden read the book to children later in the morning; as "godmother," she was to officially name it next week when docks in New York. The Harden and the cruise line are also teaming up to help St. Jude's Children's Hospital. More readings are planned for Saturday along with activities for families and children. The giant version of the book will be on display both days.

The 25-page book is titled "The Dream Plucker of Perrysport" and written by Carolyn Zigmund. It tells the story of a group of friends and an orange monster that steals their dreams. You can read the book here.

There's a North Adams Transcript story here and the video of the unveiling below — but you do have to wait for the "Today Show" anchors to talk about non-related fluff before the unveiling. And they never state Christy or Zigmund's names!

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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course.

The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication.

"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."

LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates.

"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.

The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.

"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.

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