'Pete the Cat' author Eric Litwin in Oak Ridge Aug. 3

Eric Litwin, the best-selling author of the original four "Pete the Cat" books, will be speaking at 10 a.m. Aug. 3 at The Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. This event is co-sponsored by Friends of the Library and the Oak Ridge Public Library with in-kind support provided by High Places Church (located in the Grove Theater).

The event is free with registration.

Litwin is a song singing, guitar strumming, No. 1 New York Times best-selling, award-winning author who brings early literacy, music, and positivity together. He is the original author of the "Pete the Cat" series, as well as the author of "The Nuts," "Groovy Joe," and "The Poop Song."

Eric is also the co-author of "The Power of Joyful Reading: Help Your Young Readers Soar to Success," a popular professional development book for teachers. Eric's books promote optimism and get the reader engaged. They have sold more than 16 million copies, been translated into 17 languages, and won 26 literacy awards including a Theodor Geisel Seuss Honor Award.

Eric will sign his books and participants may bring their own copies or purchase titles at the performance.

To register for the free event, use the following link at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eric-litwin-concert-tickets-921544232607 and enter the number of tickets needed. It is set up as a free event so there will be no cost.

While in this area, Eric will be in concert at 6 p.m. Aug. 1 in Maryville as part of the Hot Summer Nights series, sponsored by the Blount County Public Library, and at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 2 he will perform in Knoxville at the Burlington Branch Library, sponsored by the Knoxville Public Library.

The Friends of the Library is a nonprofit organization that holds used book sales to raise funds for the Library as well as to find new homes for publications. Funds are used to support the Library’s programs such as the summer reading programs for children and adults and the World Wise Wednesdays; sponsor the FOL Book Discussion Group; purchase supplies, publications, and equipment, facilitate interlibrary loan services, and provide other help requested by the Library.

Membership forms are available at the Library’s Main Desk and at the book sales. Donations of books, DVDs, CDs, jigsaw puzzles, and other publications are always welcome. Donations can be left in the donation area in the library lobby.

The FOL Facebook page is www.facebook.com/foloakridge . Contact: FOL President Nancy Hardin, 865-680-6035, nehardin@hotmail.com , for additional information.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 'Pete the Cat' author Eric Litwin in Oak Ridge Aug. 3