'Johnny Nichols' Exhibit Moves to The Gallery August 16

SALISBURY, MD---Those who missed the summer exhibit of original artwork from the children’s book Johnny Nichols … I Want to Play Baseball at Salisbury University have a second chance to see highlights at The Gallery on the corner of Eastern Shore Drive and South Division Street.

Copies of the book are also available there. The exhibit runs from Wednesday, August 16, until the conclusion of this year’s World Series.

Written by SU Art Department faculty Marie Cavallaro and illustrated by SU art faculty emeritus John Cleary with graphic design by Beth Hébert, I Want to Play Baseball follows young Johnny Nichols as he pursues his dream of playing baseball for his favorite team, the Newtown Cubs. When the coach turns him down, telling him he is too small, Johnny is disappointed—but not ready to give up.

For Cavallaro, who wrote the story in 1987, the book was a matter of necessity: “At the age of 2 my son was involved with baseball. I ironed many numbers onto every set of baseball pajamas. Every day he would go off to nursery school suited up to play baseball. Of course, no other child his age had the same passion.

“Finding books about baseball was a real challenge. The biography of Hank Aaron was read over and over for a year and a half. Finally, this children’s book was born.

“Johnny Nichols not only touches on a love for playing baseball, but encourages good sportsmanship, persistence, family support and mere luck.”

The story served as an inspiration to Cavallaro’s son, Ian, who is now is a sports journalist.

For more information call 410-742-2880 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.