Recently, an author had the Empire State Building lit up in his honor, an author accepted an award, a committee helped celebrate a big win, a daytime TV show welcomed a governor turned author, author friends came together for an event, and an author held a debut launch at a local bookstore.
Dog Man Dominates
In honor of Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man hitting screens with its movie release on January 31, the Empire State Building was lit blue and gold, the titular pup’s colors. Here, Pilkey (l.) and SNL alum Pete Davidson, the voice of Petey in the film, enjoy the lighting ceremony. Dog Man took over the #1 spot at the box office for its opening weekend.
Going for Gold
During its annual meeting in Las Vegas on January 27, the Educational Book and Media Association awarded Jason Reynolds (r.) the 2024 Jeremiah Ludington Memorial Award. As a part of his award, the EBMA will present a $2,000 check to DC Scores, the literacy charity of Reynolds’ choice, which empowers young people to create change through sports, the arts, and service. After receiving his award, Reynolds was joined onstage by Lisa Moraleda, VP and director of publicity at Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, for a conversation.
Come ‘Help’ Celebrate!
At the ALA Youth Media Awards held on January 27, illustrator Rebecca Lee Kunz was announced the winner of the Caldecott Medal for Chooch Helped (Levine Querido). Written by Andrea L. Rogers, the picture book features Indigenous siblings Sissy and younger brother Chooch, whose help accidentally interrupts Sissy’s activities. Here, the committee dons red capes inspired by the one Chooch wears in the book.
A Governor with a Good View
On January 28, author and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer made an appearance on ABC’s The View to celebrate the release of the young adult edition of True Gretch (S&S). Whitmer’s memoir highlights lessons learned across her career about taking a stand and making a difference in her community. The audience all went home with a copy of the book. (From l.): Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Whoopi Goldberg, Gretchen Whitmer, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Sunny Hostin onstage.
Butterfly in the Sky
On January 30, author-illustrator Sergio Ruzzier (r.) celebrated the launch of his new picture book, Bianca and the Butterfly (HarperCollins), at Sullaluna in the West Village. Ruzzier was joined by his friend and former Brooklyn studiomate, Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall (l.), for a conversation about his artistic process and influences—from Renaissance paintings to 1930s American comic books and the works of Maurice Sendak—the reason he prefers writing picture books in English rather than his native Italian, the art of translation, and more.
Bookstore Still Standing
On January 8, Lily Braun-Arnold (back row, c.) celebrated the launch of her debut novel The Last Bookstore on Earth (Delacorte) with an event at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, N.J. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the book follows teen Liz who takes refuge in a local bookstore. When Liz encounters Maeve, a fellow survivor, she invites her to stay. Braun-Arnold was joined by fellow author Laura Marx-Fitzgerald for a conversation and closed the event with a book signing.
