LITERARY LAS VEGAS

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Las Vegas author Jean-Paul Loppo Martinez started art school in his native France by the age of 7, and five years later entered the Fine Arts School of Versailles. At the Estienne School of Artistic and Industrial Graphics in Paris, the young artist worked under the direction of engraver Robert Dutrou and on projects with artists such as Picasso and Chagall.

In 2001, Martinez's painting "Waiting for Our Children" was auctioned at Andre Agassi's annual Grand Slam for Children. In 2004, Martinez's "Lady Liberty" was placed at the White House.

Martinez's latest project, inspired by his son, is a series of books with CDs for children. The first two, "Bart & The Gang: Cookie Party" and "Bart & The Gang: Picnic at Yellowstone," feature illustrations and dialogue by Martinez and recipes and narration by Keegan Gerhard, Food Network pastry chef and host of "Food Network Challenge."

Both books are available on the interactive Web site www.bartandthegang.com.