Libraries get copies of book about Cocky
Who's Carolina's most identifiable figure in garnet and black? Adults may answer Steve Spurrier, but for children, it's someone a little fuzzier—Cocky.
So it was a natural collaboration when publisher Mascot Books teamed up with the University, University Bookstore/Barnes & Noble, and the South Carolina State Library to donate 185 copies of “Hello Cocky!” to each of the state's public libraries.
“I believe Cocky embodies the spirit of Carolina. We hope to foster that spirit of higher education.”
The book, with illustrations by Carolina graduate Joni Graybill, tells the story of how Cocky winds his way through campus on the way to a football game at Williams-Brice Stadium. Anyone who's seen how youngsters clamber for Cocky's attention at football and basketball games knows that he's the perfect subject for a children's book.
“I believe Cocky embodies the spirit of Carolina, says Andrew Shaffer, general manager of the University Bookstore. We hope to foster that spirit of higher education. Thank you, Cocky. The book wouldn't be the same without you.”
Dr. Andrew Sorensen hosted an announcement about the book donation in his office. He took the opportunity to praise—and perhaps embarrass—Cocky. “I belive Cocky is blushing, but it's hard to tell. Cocky knows how to read. He's a student at USC. He's highly literate. I hope students who read the book will consider coming to Carolina when they're old enough.”
An official from Mascot contacted Graybill's graphic design professor about illustrating the book, by author Aimee Aryal, and Graybill's samples were chosen. She worked for four months, doing the illustrations first in watercolor and then scanning and touching them up electronically.
“It was a great experience. I loved doing it. Cocky's fun to draw,” says Graybill, who graduated in December 2004 and is doing freelance work in Hilton Head and working for Barnes & Noble.
The state library distributed the books statewide to public libraries in July. The library's director, Patti Butcher, says the illustrations are as important as the words. “This is a way to get small children interested, because the pictures and the illustrations in here are intriguing for kids. They do a great job promoting not only literacy, but visual arts too. The fact that every library in the state will have a copy is just generous on the part of Mascot books.”