Windy City Live interviews the creator and stars of "Chicago Treasure"

Chicago Treasure was featured on Windy City Live on August 8. Photographer and author Larry Broutman sat down with co-hosts Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini to discuss his inspiration for creating this empowering new book. Mr. Broutman confided that the unusual idea came to him in a dream. He envisioned taking photographs of Chicagoland children and then placing them in illustrated wonderlands that would make them the main characters in classic fairy tales and nursery rhymes. (Photo by Rich Green)

When asked how he selected the children to appear in the book, Mr. Broutman explained that he is a board member at The Chicago Lighthouse and had often enjoyed seeing the Lighthouse’s preschoolers during his many visits. These spirited students were the first to be photographed. Then Mr. Broutman reached out to friends and the community, asking eager youngsters, “How would you like to become famous? You could be a part of Chicago Treasure.” (Photo by Rich Green)

Two of the book’s stars were in the Windy City Live audience with their families. Anthony Alfano played Young King Cole and Maritza Cervantes played Cinderella. (Photo by Rich Green)

With a beaming smile and poise befitting a princess, Maritza described the experience of appearing in Chicago Treasure as “awesome.” She told viewers she was grateful that she was selected and that she thoroughly enjoyed participating in a professional photo shoot for the first time. Mr. Broutman chose the title for his fourth book because he firmly believes that the Windy City’s greatest treasure is its children. He went on to say, “What the book celebrates is inclusion and access, and we don’t distinguish between children with or without disabilities. They are all one. They are Chicago’s Treasure.” (Photo by Rich Green)

Everyone in the Windy City Live crowd went home with a copy of Chicago Treasure. If you weren’t one of the lucky studio audience members, have no fear, you can pick up a copy of Chicago Treasure here on our site. All author proceeds support The Chicago Lighthouse and Access Living.

Missed your chance to watch the segment when it aired? You can still check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P1Yxb3wgCg.