The Carnegie Arts Center is bringing author and illustrator Doug Hansen to town Friday for a night of stories and fables.

“Once upon a time…” is the theme for the Family Friday series and will feature Hansen and his two books, “Mother Goose in California” and “Aesop in California.”

"The Carnegie's Family Friday series offers families with children a rare opportunity to do something together,"  said Carnegie Executive Director and Curator Rebecca Abbott.  "Add to that Doug Hansen's imaginative take on traditional fables and you have a very special evening. 

"We are so pleased to bring adults and children together in this series, which is made possible by Off Center Thrift and Gift."

A native Californian, Hansen conceived of the idea of taking the classic tales and putting them in new surroundings.

“Mother Goose in California” is an ABC picture book that uses the Mother Goose rhymes. It was published in 2009.

In “Aesop in California” Hansen re-imagines the familiar fables in a setting that reflects California’s natural bounty and rich history. The book was published earlier this year.

Hansen has worked for several decades as an illustrator and graphic artist. His freelance projects include the illustrations in David Masumoto’s “Letters to the Valley” and “Heirlooms: Letters from a Peach Farmer.”

He currently is an art professor at California State University, Fresno.

Hansen will read stories from each book and will discuss the creative process behind his illustrations. He’ll also discuss his own development as an artist.

The free family event is set for 7 p.m. Friday at the Carnegie Arts Center at 250 N. Broadway. Copies of both books will be available for purchase and signing.