This week, a publisher donates books for a cause; fans hone their writing skills with a favorite author; an author sends his books to Princeton; and an author launches his new mystery-adventure series.

Boxing Day

National Geographic Kids donated books in honor of Mother’s Day (May 8) and the Children’s Book Council’s partnership with The unPrison Project, a nonprofit organization devoted to supporting and mentoring incarcerated women. The CBC is working with children’s publishers to collect books for prison nurseries in 10 states, so that mothers are able to read to their babies. From left, National Geographic employees Ruth Camblee, Caitlin Holbrook, and Christel Cherqaoui box up books for the cause in the National Geographic Kids office in Washington, D.C.

Readers to Writers

Author Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, author of the Guardian Herd series, celebrated Independent Bookstore Day with some of her biggest fans. Books Inc. Laurel Village in San Francisco hosted Alvarez, who facilitated a writing workshop for kids ages 9–13. She and participants brainstormed active verbs and wrote a collaborative poem, all while enjoying homemade brownies care of bookstore employee Taylor Nam.

To the Archives!

T.A. Barron (the Merlin Saga) recently prepared boxes of his books to be donated to the Princeton University Library. Barron is the author of more than 30 books for young readers. “The T.A. Barron Papers,” which will include all of Barron’s novels, articles, speeches, videos, and other materials, will be available by June through Princeton’s Department of Rare Books and Special Collections. Barron is a 1974 Princeton alumnus (FYI that “alumni” is plural!) and a former University trustee.

That’s the Key!

Author Eric Luper launched his new chapter book series, Key Hunters (Scholastic) at The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany, N.Y., on April 30. Luper marked the occasion with key-themed cupcakes and backpack flashlights for guests. He also stamped all of the books he signed with a limited-edition key and keyhole stamp. The first book in the series, The Spy’s Secret, pubbed on April 28.