This week, Daniel Handler, Chris Harris, and Matthew Forsythe get up to shenanigans at a picture book party; Jon Agee brings Martian life to Kalamazoo; Matthew Van Fleet signs books; Mary Losure reveals her powers as an alchemist; and fourth graders perform Readers Theater during a virtual visit from author Tracey Hecht.
Three’s Company
Little, Brown hosted its annual picture book cocktail party on February 28 at its Manhattan headquarters. Original artworks from books being published from April 2017 through February 2018 were on display at the event. Seen here (from l.) are Chris Harris, comedy screenwriter and author of I’m Just No Good at Rhyming and Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups; Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket; and illustrator Matthew Forsythe, who paired with Handler for The Bad Mood and the Stick.
Is There Life on Mars?
Author Jon Agee was at Book Bug in Kalamazoo, Mich., on February 28, to share his new picture book Life on Mars with readers. Agee read aloud from the book, which encourages readers to travel far and wide to find good friends. Here, Agee offers a drawing demonstration for attendees.
Wanna Dance?
Matthew Van Fleet did a signing of his new book Dance at his local indie store, Scattered Books, in Chappaqua, N.Y., on February 26. Flanking Van Fleet (center) at the signing table were (on l.) Tara and Jackson Goebel and (r.) Laura Schaefer, owner of Scattered Books, her daughter Livvy Schaefer, and Van Fleet’s friend Dave Bickler, lead singer of the rock band Survivor.
The Alchemist
Author Mary Losure came dressed as an alchemist for an event held at Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis on February 25. Losure shared her biography of Isaac Newton’s boyhood, Isaac the Alchemist, about Newton’s early exploration with alchemy. Guests enjoyed a “Magick and Alchemy Show” as well as treats, potions, and prizes.
Well Read!
Author Tracey Hecht had a virtual visit with fourth graders at the Dorothy I. Height Elementary School in Washington, D.C., on February 10. The students took part in the Nocturnals’ Read Aloud Writing Program, which Hecht created in collaboration with the New York Public Library. The students prepared for Hecht’s virtual visit and the workshop by reading The Mysterious Abductions and taking part in other activities relating to the endangered animals featured in the story. Here, students perform in a Readers Theater activity.
