This week, a musician signs books and takes the stage; two authors celebrate their books and friendship; a publishing house is “stormed” on Star Wars Day; a book launch and fundraiser goes to the dogs; and Bad Kitty has a good birthday.
Jazzed
Jazz musician-turned-author Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and illustrator Brian Collier were guests at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which took place April 24–May 3. Collier and Andrews signed copies of Trombone Shorty (Abrams) on May 2. Here, Collier presents Andrews with a piece of his original art from the book. Shorty was also a headline performer at the festival.
Book BFFs
Authors and best friends Terra McVoy (l.) and Anica Rissi celebrated the release of their respective books about close friendships, Drive Me Crazy (HarperCollins/Tegen) and Anna, Banana, and the Friendship Split (S&S) on May 1 at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Ga. The authors met more than 13 years ago when they were both working as editorial assistants at Scholastic. Rissi is now McVoy’s editor and makes her own debut with Anna, Banana. “Anica and I have been collaborating together officially on book projects for almost 10 years now, and I am so excited for us to be celebrating one that has her name on the cover!” said McVoy. Readers were invited to bring their own best friends to the event.
What a Trooper!
Stormtroopers browsed for reading material at the Chronicle Books offices in San Francisco in May 4, in honor of worldwide Star Wars Day (“May the Fourth Be with You”), and in celebration of both Darth Vader and Friends by Jeffrey Brown and the Star Wars Epic Yarns series by Jack and Holman Wang. The Stormtroopers came care of the 501st Legion Golden Gate Garrison, a costuming organization.
Celebrating for a Cause
Author Lee Wardlaw hosted a book launch at her Santa Barbara home on April 26 for Won Ton and Chopstick (Holt), illustrated by Eugene Yelchin. More than 100 guests attended the event, which was also a fundraiser for the organization All for Animals and its ARF! literacy program, which pairs struggling readers with therapy dogs. Chaucer’s Bookstore provided books for the event. Here, Wardlaw and Yelchin are all smiles.
Bad Kitty Turns 10
The New York Public Library and the Children’s Book Council hosted a 10th birthday party for Nick Bruel’s feline character Bad Kitty on May 5 at the Jefferson Market library branch. In addition to a presentation from Bruel (shown here), guests enjoyed cupcakes and made birthday cards for Bad Kitty, who also made a guest appearance for a sing-along.
