The John Cooper School Presents $2,500 to Children’s Books on Wheels ahead of Highly Anticipated 2025 Signatures Author Series

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The John Cooper School presented a $2,500 check to Rita Wiltz, Founder and Executive Director of Children’s Books on Wheels, continuing its tradition of giving back to the community through the annual Signatures Author Series. The funds were raised through ticket sales, sponsorships, and raffle proceeds from the 20th Annual Signatures Author Series featuring bestselling author Lisa Jewell in 2024.

Each year, The John Cooper School’s Signatures Author Series invites a celebrated author to speak to the community. The John Cooper School Fine Arts Council is excited to welcome New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis as the keynote speaker for the 21st Annual Signatures Author Series luncheon, taking place on Friday, December 5, 2025, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.

In addition to celebrating the donation to Children’s Books on Wheels, The John Cooper School is proud to announce Books Alive! has been selected as the 2025 community beneficiary. This year’s selection was made by Signatures Co-Chairs Melanie and Drew Creel, along with their children Alex ’29 and Ryan ’32.

“We are thrilled to select Books Alive! as this year’s beneficiary,” said Co-Chairs Melanie and Drew Creel. “Because Signatures supports the arts at Cooper, it was important to us to choose a beneficiary that connects literacy and the arts in a meaningful way. Books Alive! creates an unforgettable experience for children by merging literature with live performance, sparking a love of reading and encouraging imagination in a truly engaging way.”

Books Alive! is a Houston-based nonprofit that brings beloved children’s books to life by adapting them into original, fully staged musicals performed by a professional touring company. Through performances at schools, hospitals, libraries, and youth organizations throughout the Houston area, Books Alive! promotes literacy, stimulates creativity, and introduces children to the magic of theatre. Each performance is paired with a copy of the featured book, delivered to the location in advance, allowing children to engage with the story both on the page and on the stage.

The Signatures Author Series has welcomed many notable authors over its 21-year history, including Barbara Bush, Dave Barry, Anthony Bourdain, Gillian Flynn, and Elin Hilderbrand. The annual luncheon supports The John Cooper School’s fine arts programs through the Fine Arts Council, a parent-led organization that supports and promotes cutting-edge art programs at Cooper. A portion of these proceeds is directed to a literacy-focused nonprofit selected each year.

Tickets for the 2025 luncheon are on sale now and are expected to sell out quickly. Early registration for table sponsorships and individual reservations is highly encouraged for the best seating options.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.johncooper.org.