Fancy Fans

Morristown, N.J., held its first-ever Morristown Festival of Books on September 27. Children’s and YA authors in attendance included Jane O’Connor, Nancy Krulik, Elizabeth Eulberg, Kieran Scott, and Sandy Hall. Events included a Teen Romance panel; a burping contest with Nancy Krulik, in the spirit of her George Brown, Class Clown; and (seen here), a Fancy Nancy book signing and presentation with Jane O’Connor, who greeted hundreds of girls who were (like the author herself) dressed in the spirit of O’Connor’s stylish heroine.

Bookalicious

The second annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival was held at Robert E. Bell Middle School in Chappaqua, N.Y., on September 27. The event hosted more than 85 children’s book authors and illustrators who took part in the celebration of books and the Chappaqua community, including Alan Katz, Jerry and Gloria Pinkney, and Bryan Collier. Victoria Kann, author of the Pinkalicious series, dressed the part of her eponymous character while greeting fans and signing books.

Ambassador to the Stars

The Como Planetarium in St. Paul, Minn., was a fitting location for the September 17 launch of Will Alexander’s space adventure, Ambassador (S&S/McElderry). Alexander’s solo launch preceded a week-long joint tour with author Stu Gibbs, whose book Space Case (Simon & Schuster) shares an interplanetary theme. The joint launch for Alexander and Gibbs took place at Addendum Books in St. Paul on September 27. Addendum also organized the Planetarium event.

A Book to Grow On

A launch event for If You Were a Dog by Jamie Swenson, illustrated by Chris Raschka, was held at Hedberg Public Library in Janesville, Wis., where Swenson works as a librarian. The event drew more than 150 people. The library also participates in the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program, which urges families to read 1000 books to their children before they reach kindergarten. Guests who participate in the program receive free copies of If You Were a Dog – like these readers, flanked by Raschka (l.) and Swenson.