Recently an author gave a reading at an iconic NYC spot, collaborators donned fitting costumes for a school visit, authors took part in a children’s festival, an author celebrated a debut launch, collaborators enjoyed a life-sized model of their character, and a CEO made his children’s debut.
A Green Thumb
On October 12, author and illustrator Christy Mandin made a visit to the Met Cloisters in New York City for a reading of her picture book Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden (Orchard). The picture book is about young gardener Millie Fleur who defends her unusual garden from her neighbors. Following the reading, Mandin held a q&a and a book signing.
A ‘Biting’ Good Time
On October 18, students at Hoffman Middle School in Houston, Tex., enjoyed a visit from Crystal Maldonado and Julie Murphy, co-authors of Camp Sylvania: Moon Madness (Balzer + Bray). The second installment of the Camp Sylvania series finds Maggie and Nora returning to the titular spooky camp, which is under new management with the same supernatural campers. Here Maldonado (l.) and Murphy (r.) bare their fangs while signing copies of their book, provided in partnership with Blue Willow Bookshop.
Kicking It at KidsFest
More than 60 children’s and YA authors gathered in Morristown, N.J., on October 19 for the 11th annual KidFest at the Morristown Festival of Books. (From l.) Nancy Krulik, Tracey West, Heather Alexander, and James Preller partaking in the festivities.
Looking for ‘The One’
Debut author Leyla Brittan celebrated the release of her YA novel Ros Demir Is Not the One (Holiday House) with a cross-country road trip. Earlier this month, Brittan made an appearance at the Seward Park location of Third Place Books in Seattle, which consisted of a reading, q&a, and signing, along with a raffle. In Ros Demir Is Not the One, Ros’s attempts to land a cute boyfriend winds up fracturing her relationship with her best friend, and Ros grapples with what her romantic pursuits may have cost her. Here, Brittan signs copies of her book.
More Than Fine
Green Bean Books in Portland, Ore., gave a warm welcome to Michelle Sumovich and Sarah Jacoby on October 20 for the release of their picture book, Everything Is Fine! (HarperCollins). The picture book highlights the love between young Paulette and her mother even as everything goes wrong around them. The author-illustrator pair held a storytime, and readers participated in a potion-making session and played with baby goats. Here Jacoby (l.) and Sumovich appear with a life-size creation of Paulette’s mother from the book.
A Haunting Debut
Paul Siefken, CEO of children’s media company Fred Rogers Productions, celebrated the release of his middle grade debut Vernon Poche & the Ghosts of New Orleans (Treehouse) with an event at Riverstone Bookstore in Pittsburgh on October 22. Siefken was joined by Tim Smith, CEO of local nonprofit Center of Life, for a conversation about the book. Vernon Poche & the Ghosts of New Orleans centers on Vernon as ghosts guide him home in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans. Here, Siefken signs a copy of his book for an attendee.
