Booksellers on the lookout for recent and forthcoming offerings from children’s publishers will catch an eyeful as they roam the aisles. Here’s a sampling of projects on display, authors on hand, and goings-on and giveaways at the children’s booths. Look for a second installment of booth highlights in tomorrow’s issue.
Those arriving at the main entrance of Javits today will notice a large banner proclaiming, “Let’s Get Lost.” The meaning of that phrase will become apparent when they visit Harlequin Teen’s booth (3038), where a car shrink-wrapped with an image from the cover of Let’s Get Lost, a YA novel by debut author Adi Alsaid, is on display. The car channels the spirit of this coming-of-age story, which follows five teens on a cross-country road trip. The publisher has packed the vehicle with ARCs and chapter samplers of the novel, which Alsaid will sign after unlocking the car on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. The author is also participating in Harlequin Teen’s breakfast for 100 bloggers this morning, where executive editor Natashya Wilson will introduce him, as well as YA authors Julie Kagawa, Alexandra Adornetto, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Dawn Metcalf, and Robin Talley.
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers hosts a trio of authors today at the Hachette Book Group booth (2820). This morning, 10–11 a.m., Eric Litwin signs prints from his new picture book, The Nuts: Bedtime at the Nuthouse, illustrated by Scott Magoon. The author will also lead the crowd in a rendition of his bedtime song that inspired the book. Pseudonymous Bosch autographs galleys of Bad Magic, the launch title of a middle-grade series, 1–2 p.m. From 2 to 3 p.m., Bethenny Frankel will sign prints from her fall picture book, Cookie Meets Peanut, illustrated by Daniel Roode.
This morning at 9 a.m., Lemony Snicket sneaks into the booth to hand out bookmarks promoting All the Wrong Questions: “Shouldn’t You Be in School?” Little, Brown’s staggered schedule of galley giveaways throughout the show includes The Map to Everywhere by Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis (today, 9 a.m., and tomorrow, 10 a.m.); The Rookie Bookie by L. Jon Wertheim and Tobias Moskowitz (today, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.); Kirk Scroggs’s Snoop Troop: It Came from Beneath the Playground (today, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.); Jessica Darling’s It List 2: The (Totally Not) Guaranteed Guide to Friends, Foes & Faux Friends by Megan McCafferty (today, 4 p.m.); Pseudonymous Bosch’s Bad Magic (tomorrow, 11 a.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.); and The Walled City by Ryan Graudin (tomorrow, 9 a.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.)
Also, The Young World by Chris Weitz (tomorrow, 9 a.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m.); The Doubt Factory by Paolo Bacigalupi (today, 1 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.); Rebecca Serle’s Famous in Love (tomorrow, 2 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.); Josh Sundquist’s We Should Hang Out Sometime: Embarrassingly, a True Story (tomorrow, 2 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.); Holley Black’s The Darkest Part of the Forest (tomorrow, 3 p.m., and Saturday, noon); and Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper (tomorrow, 3 p.m., and Saturday, noon). Also on Saturday, the publisher will give away finished copies of Kass Morgan’s The 100 at 9 a.m., and Caldecott Honor artist Patrick McDonnell will sign prints from A Perfectly Messed-Up Story, his fall picture book, 1–2 p.m.
Star Wars fans will want to drop by the DK Publishing booth (1529), where two seven-feet-tall LEGO Star Wars models—of Chewbacca and Boba Fett—are on display for photo ops. The sculptures herald the recent release of a revised, updated edition of LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary. Visitors can also enter DK’s Top 40 sweepstakes for a chance to win a library of 40 DK titles. The raffle celebrates the publisher’s 40th anniversary, as does a giveaway of anniversary tote bags. Today and tomorrow, galleys of Heads Up Philosophy and the Fashion Book will be given away, as will a variety of bookmarks.
Running Press has three author signings scheduled in booth 1406. This morning at 9:30 a.m., celebrity TV chef and author Lidia Bastianich will sign copies of Lidia’s Family Kitchen: Nonna’s Birthday Surprise. Recipe cards are available for her third children’s book, Nonna Tell Me a Story: Lidia’s Egg-Citing Farm Adventure, a February 2015 release illustrated by Renée Graef. Today at 1 p.m., Tara Altabrando will autograph copies of her new middle-grade novel, The Battle of Darcy Lane; and tomorrow at 2 p.m. Eric Devine will be on hand to sign galleys of his YA novel, Press Play. The publisher will also be giving away galleys of another fall YA title, Kat Ellis’s Blackfin Sky.
Soccer fans will get a kick out of the raffle Abbeville Press is holding at booth 1315 in celebration of its recent launch of the World Soccer Legends series of photographic books showcasing soccer luminaries and popular teams from around the globe. To enter to win one of 10 sets of the series’ eight titles, visitors to the booth can drop off a business card with the name of their favorite soccer player—past or present—written on it.
There will be a flurry of author autographings at the Penguin Young Readers Group’s booth (1521) today and tomorrow. On the docket this morning are Romina Russell, 9:30–10:30 a.m., signing Zodiac (Razorbill), the debut title in a science-fiction/fantasy series; and B.J. Novak, autographing his picture book, The Book with No Pictures (Dial), 11 a.m.–noon, at a ticketed event. This afternoon, 19-year-old Karen Bao will be at the booth, 2–3 p.m., to sign her new fantasy, Dove Arising (Viking).
Scheduled to autograph tomorrow are Marie Lu, The Young Elites (Putnam), 10–11 a.m., at a ticketed signing; Jandy Nelson, I’ll Give You the Sun (Dial), 11 a.m.–noon; Jan Brett, The Animals’ Santa (Putnam), 1–2 p.m.; Ally Condie, Atlantia (Dutton), 2–3 p.m.; M.A. Larson, Pennyroyal Academy (Putnam), 3–4 p.m.; and Rob Harrell, Life of Zarf (Dial), 3–4 p.m. In addition to these titles, galleys available at the booth are Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer (Dutton), The 8th Continent by Matt London (Razorbill), and Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (Nancy Paulsen Books).
At booth C1675, American Girl Publishing is announcing the debut of BeForever, the company’s renamed and redesigned line of historical fiction. Each of the familiar historical characters will be featured in two revised volumes of her “Classic” books and in a new “Journey” title, a multiple ending story in which a contemporary girl enters the world of the historical character and readers choose the plot twists. Valerie Tripp will sign copies of one of the launch titles, Full Speed Ahead: My Journey with Kit in the booth today, 1–2 p.m. Laurence Yep will be on hand tomorrow to sign copies of Isabelle, his novel featuring American Girl’s 2014 Girl of the Year, 11 a.m.–noon. The publisher is also spreading word of the release of three fall activity books joining the Bitty Baby picture book series by Kirby Larson, illustrated by Sue Cornelison. Booth giveaways include Bitty Baby Has a Tea Party (tomorrow, 2 p.m.) and The Awesomest, Randomest Book Ever: Odd Stuff to Read & Fun Stuff to Do (Saturday, 11 a.m.).
Chronicle Books has a pair of autographings slated for booth 2827. Today at 11 a.m., Molly Idle will sign copies of her 2014 Caldecott Honor book, Flora and the Flamingo, as well as posters promoting her fall follow-up, Flora and the Penguin. Tomorrow at 11:30 a.m., Ivy and Bean fans can meet author Annie Barrows and illustrator Sophie Blackall when they sign copies of the paperback edition of Ivy + Bean Take the Case, along with posters and activity sheets. Other giveaways include a limited edition of Chronicle tote bags and ARCs of The Spiritglass Charade: A Stoker & Holmes Novel by Colleen Gleason; The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee by Barry Jonsberg; K.A. Holt’s Rhyme Schemer; and Lowriders in Space by Cathy Camper, illustrated by Raul the Third. And fans of the Internet sensation Grumpy Cat, whose The Grumpy Guide to Life is due in August, will find a costumed character roaming BookCon on Saturday, noon–2 p.m.
Zonderkidz welcomes two authors to booth 2038 during BEA. Today at 10:30 a.m., Jane Yolen will sign ARCs of A Plague of Unicorns, a middle-grade fantasy due in December. The novel portrays the legendary unicorn in an unusual light, and reveals that heroes come in unexpected shapes and sizes. Sports authority Nathan Whitaker will appear at the booth on Saturday, 11 a.m., to sign ARCs of Snap Decision, the launch title of his Game Face series. In this July middle-grade novel, a high school player faces some tough decisions during a high-stakes football season.
Candlewick’s booth (2857) will have a revolving door for authors arriving for book signings. On the autographing agenda today are Robie H. Harris (What’s So Yummy?), 11 a.m.–noon; and Geoffrey Hayes (Benny and Penny in Lost and Found), 3:30–4:30 p.m. Tomorrow, the publisher hosts Liz Pichon (The Brilliant World of Tom Gates), 10–11 a.m.; Matt Phelan (Druthers), 1–2 p.m.; and Michelle Knudsen (Evil Librarian), 2:30–3:30 p.m. Pichon returns on Saturday for a second signing session, 9:30–10:30 a.m., followed by Stephan Pastis, who will autograph Timmy Failure: We Meet Again, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
A section of Candlewick’s both is devoted to a 20th anniversary celebration of Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram (see separate story in this issue for details). Numerous booth giveaways include chapbooks of Gregory Maguire’s Egg & Spoon and posters promoting Sam and David Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen.
Things are anything but sleepy at booth C1684, where Sleeping Bear staffers are distributing a host of goodies. This morning and tomorrow morning at 9 a.m., 50 tote bags with two copies of backlist I Am a Reader titles will be given out to promote that series. And at 11 a.m., illustrator Tim Bowers will showcase his art and sketches from Memoirs of an Elf, the third book in Devin Scillian’s series, due out for the 2014 holiday series. Bowers will also autograph copies of the earlier titles, Memoirs of a Hamster and Memoirs of a Goldfish. This afternoon at 2 p.m., Courtney Sheinmel will autograph copies of her latest Stella Batts title, Something Blue. Visitors can snack on Stella Batts–themed confections and enter a raffle to win one of two hardcover sets of the series’ titles.
On tomorrow’s schedule is a 10 a.m. giveaway of ARCs of Sandra Dallas’s middle-grade fall novel, Red Berries White Clouds Blue Sky, as well as autographed copies of the author’s The Quilt Walk. Author Richard Michelson and illustrator Doris Ettlinger will sign their S Is for Sea Glass: A Beach Alphabet, and original art from the book will be displayed. Booksellers with a sweet tooth should stroll into the booth between 2 and 3 p.m., when gingerbread cookies will be served to promote A Cookie for Santa by Stephanie Shaw, illustrated by Bruno Robert, copies of which will also be given away.
Things are also hopping at the Random House booth (2839), where literary luminaries and Hollywood stars with fall children’s books will take a bow. Today at 12:30 p.m., Glee actress and comedian Jane Lynch autographs her debut picture book, Marlene, Marlene, Queen of Mean (Doubleday), written with Lara Embry and A.E. Mikesell and illustrated by Tricia Tusa. At 2 p.m., Pulitzer Prize winner Jon Meacham signs Thomas Jefferson: President and Philosopher (Crown), a young readers’ adaptation of his bestselling Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power. R.J. Palacio arrives at 3 p.m. to autograph blads of 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts (Knopf), a companion book to her highly acclaimed middle-grade novel, Wonder. Wonder tote bags will be given out.
Friday’s author visitors include Carl Hiaasen, signing his debut YA book, Skink—No Surrender (Knopf) at 10:30 a.m., following his presentation at the Children’s Book and Author Breakfast. Frank Portman takes over the spotlight at 1:30 p.m., when he autographs King Dork Approximately (Delacorte), a sequel to King Dork. And actor Jason Segel, host of today’s Children’s Breakfast, will appear at 3:30 to sign, with coauthor Kirsten Miller, his debut children’s book, Nightmares! (Delacorte), which launches a middle-grade series.
At the Macmillan booth (1738, 1739), St. Martin’s Griffin welcomes R.L. Stine today at 2 p.m., when he’ll sign ARCs of Party Games. With this first new Fear Street title in almost two decades, the author introduces his horror series, which has sold more than 80 million copies worldwide, to a new generation of teen readers.
Magination Press has two book giveaways planned at booth 2233. Today, 10–11 a.m., the publisher will give out copies of This Day in June, a picture book about LGBT parades that occur in June, LGBT Pride Month. Written by Gayle E. Pitman and illustrated by Kristyna Litten, this picture book introduces children to LGBT history, community, and acceptance. Tomorrow, ARCs of My Sister Beth’s Pink Birthday: A Story About Sibling Relationships, will be available, 10–11 a.m. This picture book about dealing with sibling rivalry is written by Marlene L. Szymona and illustrated by Christine Battuz.
Sourcebooks is spotlighting two new YA titles at booth 921. Suzanne Brockmann will sign galleys of her debut book for teens, Night Sky, today at 10 a.m. The author co-wrote this trilogy launch, set in the same dark future as her adult bestseller, Born to Darkness, with her daughter, Melanie. At the booth, the publisher is also featuring Breathe, Annie Breathe, a contemporary novel marking Miranda Kennally’s debut in hardcover. In this story about grief and healing, a teen is determined to run a marathon, a feat her boyfriend set out to accomplish before his death.
Charlesbridge invites booksellers to booth 2950 today, 2–4 p.m., to toast the company’s 25th anniversary with sparkling wine and cake. At the same time, identical twins Paul and Peter Reynolds will be on hand to sign their September chapter book, Sydney & Simon: Full Steam Ahead! Tomorrow, 1–3 p.m., Jane Sutcliffe will autograph copies of Stone Giant: Michelangelo’s David and How He Came to Be, illustrated by John Shelley. And on Saturday, 1–3 p.m., the publisher welcomes T. Neill Anderson to the booth to sign Ocean of Fire: The Burning of Columbia, 1865.
HarperCollins has two author signings scheduled for booth 2038 and 2039. Today, 2–3 p.m., James Frey and Nils Johnson-Shelton will autograph galleys of Endgame: The Calling (HarperCollins) at a ticketed signing (for which tickets will be given away at the booth this morning). To whet fans’ appetite for the autographing, staffers will serve ice cream sandwiches today, 12:30–1:30 p.m., featuring a custom “Endgame” flavor. From 4 to 5 p.m., the publisher will host a “Four at 4:00” cocktail party in honor of Veronica Roth’s Four: A Divergent Collection (Katherine Tegen Books). Tomorrow, 3–4 p.m., Kiera Cass will sign copies of The One (HarperTeen), the third installment of the Selection series. Tickets for this event will be available at the booth tomorrow morning.
Visitors to the booth can drop their business cards in a bowl to win one of four themed gift baskets containing books and promotional items; winners will be selected at the following times: The Giving Tree basket, today, 3:30 p.m.; Neil Gaiman basket and Messenger of Fear basket (tomorrow, 2:30 p.m.); and Paddington Bear basket (Saturday, 1 p.m.). Galley giveaways include Septimus Heap: TodHunter Moon, Book One: Pathfinder by Angie Sage (Katherine Tegen Books), illustrated by Mark Zug; Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant (Katherine Tegen Books); The Jewel by Amy Ewing; Positive by Paige Rawl (HarperCollins); Falling into Place by Amy Zhang (Greenwillow); The Guardian Herd: Starfire by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez (HarperCollins); Anatomy of a Misfit by Andrea Portes (HarperTeen); and The Swap by Megan Shull (Katherine Tegen Books).
In the Tor Teen spotlight at the Macmillan booth (1738, 1739) is The Accidental Highwayman, a debut YA novel by Ben Tripp. The author, the son of picture-book illustrator Wallace Tripp, created 25 illustrations for the fairy tale, which is due out in October. Booksellers can meet him this morning at 11:30 a.m., when he’ll be at the booth signing ARCs of his book.
At booth PDZ638, Georgia McBride Media Group offers a busy schedule of author signings. Appearing today are Month9Books authors Scott Craven (Dead Jed), 11 a.m.; Ty Drago (The Undertakers 3: Secret of the Corpse Eater), 12 p.m.; Pab Sungenis (Sidekick), 1 p.m.; Elizabeth Holloway (Call Me Grimm), 2 p.m.; Leigh Statham, The Perilous Journey of the Not-So-Innocuous Girl), 2:30 p.m.; Dorothy Dreyer (My Sister’s Reaper and My Tethered Soul), 3 p.m.; and Jessica Arnold (The Looking Glass), 4 p.m.
Swoon Romance authors autographing tomorrow are Mia Villano (Loving the Senator), 11:30 a.m.; Molly Blaisdell (Plumb Crazy), 12 p.m.; Kenya Wright (Convention Campus), 1 p.m.; Delancey Stewart (Men and Martinis), 2 p.m.; Melissa Petreshock (Fire of Stars and Dragons), 3 p.m.; and Ashelyn Drake and Kelley Hashway (Perfect for You and Into the Fire), 4 p.m. Several signed posters will be given out at the booth, and two gift baskets—one featuring Month9Books titles and the other Swoon Romance titles—will be raffled off on Saturday, 1 p.m.
And Capstone’s booth (1469) is also buzzing with activity. Today, 4–5:30 p.m., the publisher hosts a launch party for its Switch Press imprint, focusing on YA nonfiction and fiction across a variety of genres. Inaugural fall titles include The Isobel Journal by Isobel Harrop, Grace and the Guiltless by Erin Johnson, Half My Facebook Friends Are Ferrets by J.A. Buckle, and The Diamond Thief by Sharon Gosling. The publisher will simultaneously celebrate the launch of Craft It Yourself, a new imprint housing Capstone Young Readers’ bestselling craft and lifestyle titles. Champagne will be poured, and Jen Jones will sign copies of Planning Perfect Parties: The Girls’ Guide to Fun, Fresh, Unforgettable Events.
Michael Dahl will sign copies of Goodnight Football today, 10 a.m.; and tomorrow’s author appearances include Isobel Harrop (The Isobel Journal), 10 a.m.; and Erin Johnson (Grace and the Guiltless), 2 p.m. On Saturday, Brooke Hagel will autograph Chloe by Design: Making the Cut at 9:30 a.m. Additional ARC giveaways include The Frankenstein Journals by Scott Sonneborn; Custom Confections: Delicious Desserts You Can Create and Enjoy by Jen Besel; Katie Woo’s Big Idea Journal: A Place for Your Best Stories, Drawings, Doodles and Plans by Fran Manushkin; and Bewitched in Oz by Laura J. Burns.
