Phil Yeh founded Cartoonists Across America in 1985 after his friend Wally “Famous” Amos explained the problem of illiteracy in America to him. Phil pledged to tour the world in order to try and really reach a generation of young people. On September 12, 1999, Wally presented Phil an Alphie Award on behalf of the Los Angeles County Library Foundation at Sony Pictures Studios. Along with actor Edward James Olmos and Imperial Toy Company CEO Dr. Fred Kort, Phil was recognized for his years of dedication in promoting literacy. 

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   Cartoonists Across America has crossed North America more than 200 times, painting more than 2000 colorful literacy murals in 49 states, and 3 Canadian provinces (not to mention a huge mural in Budapest, Hungary in August 1990 that resulted in a dinosaur postage stamp celebrating the United Nations Year of Literacy).  We have had many guest artists paint with us from Teenage Ninja Turtles creator Kevin Eastman to actor Alan Alda.  Former First Lady Barbara Bush painted a mural with us in the Library of Congress and later Mrs. Bush honored Phil in the White House for his work.  

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   Phil Yeh and his group have traveled throughout the world for 37 years promoting reading, creativity and the arts. Phil has spoken to hundreds of thousands of students from the elementary school level to teachers in universities. He has also been a featured speaker at educational, library, and book conferences around the world. His graphic novel workshops have been successful with all ages and the number of professional artists who have been influenced from Phil's ideas and support for the last 35 years is amazing.

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 Phil's speaking engagements and mural painting events continue to draw media attention to the education crisis we all face.  Phil has been featured on hundreds of front pages in newspapers across the country and around the world. He tries to combine his events with interviews with the local media on the subjects of creativity and literacy and how art and reading can change anyone's life.  Phil’s books and these events inspire people of all ages to turn off the TV and give reading and the creative arts a place in their lives.  His "Read. Avoid Extinction." dinosaurs were featured on t-shirts for many years through the American Library Association and other groups worldwide.

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You can book Phil Yeh for an event anywhere on earth by contacting us here.