Hank Green launches his first novel; Kate DiCamillo and Harry Bliss bring a four-legged friend to their book event; Dog Man and Captain Underpants make an appearance; Native American authors and editors attend a writing retreat; Faith Erin Hicks makes a name for herself; and illustrator Mike Perry draws in readers.
Oh, Brother
In celebration of his debut novel, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (Dutton), Hank Green (l.) welcomed readers to an event at Town Hall in Manhattan on September 25. Joining him was John—brother in the Vlog world and in real life—who’s also known to do a bit of writing. The Greens answered audience questions about their novels, urged attendees to register to vote, and dueled blindly with inflatable bats. Photo: John Maher.
Good Penny
Collaborators Kate DiCamillo and Harry Bliss presented their new picture book, Good Rosie! (Candlewick), at Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne, Vt., on September 23. In the book, a dog named Rosie learns how to make friends. Joining DiCamillo and Bliss at the event was Bliss’s own dog Penny, who stole the spotlight.
Supa!
Dav Pilkey, author-illustrator of the Captain Underpants and Dog Man series, visited the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Mass., on September 23. The museum was a stop on Pilkey’s “Howl with Laughter Tour.” Two special guests joined Pilkey at the museum: Captain Underpants and Dog Man, joined here by attendees (and fellow heroes). Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas (Graphix), book five in the series, was published last month.
A Community-Building Retreat
Native American children’s and YA authors recently gathered for a writing retreat, Turtle Island at LoonSong, from September 11–14. The retreat, which featured discussions, presentations, and workshops, was held at Elbow Lake Lodge in Minneota, Minn. Turtle Island faculty members in attendance included Cynthia Leitich Smith, Tim Tingle, and Dawn Quigley. Editors at the event were Arthur Levine, Cheryl Klein, and Yolanda Scott, while nine student writers also participated.
Fan Favorite
Author-illustrator Faith Erin Hicks was honored at Word on the Street Festival in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, on September 22. Hicks received the gold medal in the Rocky Mountain Book Awards (selected by children) for her graphic novel, The Nameless City (First Second); the selection is the first in a trilogy that ends with The Divided Earth, releasing this week. Here, Hicks is joined by readers who helped to select her book for the award.
ABZ’s
Animator and illustrator Mike Perry won an Emmy Award for his work on the animated opening credits for the HBO show Broad City. But he recently celebrated a different kind of milestone: the publication of his first picture book, Z Goes First (Imprint), written by Sean Lamb. Perry led a story time event at Books Are Magic in Brooklyn on September 23, which included an interactive drawing presentation.
