Brooklyn Sass
A crowd of more than 100 kids and grown-ups were on the scene at powerHouse Arena in Brooklyn on January 25, for a trendy occasion: the launch of Ella (Viking), a picture book parody of Kay Thompson’s Eloise series. Ella author Mallory Kasdan and illustrator Marcos Chin were on hand to talk about the book, its ultra-hip heroine, and greet readers. Ella herself (in cardboard cutout form) also visited the bookstore and event space; seen here, she proves to be a big hit with her equally stylish fans. As a bonus: a grilled cheese truck parked outside powerHouse Arena, in homage to Ella’s nanny, who in the book aspires to acquire his own.
An ‘Everlasting’ Classic
On January 25, the Thalia Kids’ Book Club at Symphony Space and Bank Street Bookstore presented a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Tuck Everlasting, the classic children’s novel by Natalie Babbitt. Babbitt read from and talked about writing Tuck Everlasting with Wicked author Gregory Maguire (pictured here, the two authors). Readings by Samuel Babbitt (Natalie’s husband) and actress Colby Minifie were also part of the evening’s line-up. An audience Q&A and book signing followed the discussion.
In Good Company
Nick Lake, author of There Will Be Lies, was among the authors in attendance for the teen literary festival, YAllapalooza, which took place at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Ariz., on January 24. From left: Lake, Amy Nichols, Lisa McMann, Rae Carson, Tawni Waters, Shonna Slayton, Jennifer Nivens, and Austin Aslan. While in the area, Lake also took the opportunity to pay homage to his main character, Shelby from There Will Be Lies, by following the trek that Shelby takes from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon with her mother.
An Epic Occasion
National Book Award winner William Alexander was one of the authors participating in Magers & Quinn Booksellers’ National Readathon Day in Minneapolis on January 24. The event consisted of an all-day marathon reading of Beowulf, which also served as a fundraiser for the National Book Foundation. Alexander joined about 25 others in reading the epic poem.
The Search Goes On…
A popular month-long indie scavenger hunt for Waldo will take place in July for the fourth year in a row, with one difference. This time eagle-eyed hunters will also be able to find Waldo’s canine friend, Woof. “Candlewick is thrilled to be able to partner with the ABA and hundreds of independent bookstores again this year on a brilliant bookseller-created initiative that promises to increase foot traffic and sales during the summer travel season,” said Karen Lotz, president and publisher of Candlewick. Pictured here: the first child to win a button at Square Books, Jr. in Oxford, Miss., last July, for finding Waldo in 26 stores.
