Recently, young readers experienced a picture book coming to life via an art installation, an author and an illustrator came together for a storytime, a publisher celebrated authors at a conference, and an author gave a reading of a highly anticipated companion book.
Hungry for More Caterpillar
Nearly 200 parents and young readers made their way to the Paramus location of Barnes & Noble in New Jersey for a family event premiering an interactive version of beloved picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. The puppeteers from The Very Hungry Caterpillar Live gave a performance, and guests were invited to attend a meet-and-greet with the Very Hungry Caterpillar costume character. Attendees were also able to participate in a raffle to win a signed, original print of Eric Carle’s art, and other surprises.
The Gift of Storytime
On March 1, author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Aly McKnight made a visit to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian to give a reading of their picture book collaboration The Gift of the Great Buffalo (Bloomsbury). The story centers on Rose, a Métis-Ojibwe girl who learns that this year’s annual buffalo hunt might have scarce results, and how she determines to help her community during the hardship. Here, Lindstrom (l.) and McKnight (r.) give a reading to families.
Cool Kids Conference
The annual Penguin Random House children’s sales conference took place on March 6 at the Sheraton Hotel in New York City. At a cocktail party later that evening, the PRH team honored authors John Green (r.) and E. Lockhart for their outstanding careers. Each of the authors spoke about their new projects, Green’s Everything Is Tuberculosis (Crash Course Books) and Lockhart’s newly announced We Fell Apart (Delacorte Press), set in the world of We Were Liars, and their 20-year friendship. Here the authors take a selfie to commemorate the event.
A Good Laugh
David Shannon visited Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C., on March 4 to share his new picture book That’s Not Funny, David! (Orchard). In the companion to Shannon’s Caldecott Honor-winning picture book No, David!, the titular troublemaker learns to navigate the consequences of always trying to make people laugh. Shannon gave a reading to students from Holy Trinity School and the River School and held a q&a.
