Recently, an Olympian basketball player debuted his picture book, co-creators came together at a grand opening, middle grade authors held a conversation, an author launched their sophomore YA novel, authors gathered at a festival, and an author gave a presentation at a museum.
We’re Ballin’
On September 6, NBA basketball player and Olympian Jayson Tatum (r.) attended an event hosted by An Unlikely Story in Plainville, Mass., to celebrate his debut picture book, Baby Dunks-a-Lot. Co-written with Sam Apple and illustrated by Parker-Nia Gordon, the book tells the story of a baby basketball player who learns to dunk on the court from his big brother—and now every professional team wants him to play with him. Tatum held a conversation with store owner and author Jeff Kinney.
No First Day Jitters
Collaborators Dan Santat (r.) and Minh Le (l.) made an appearance at the grand opening weekend of Godmothers, a new indie bookstore in Summerland, Calif., on September 7. Other guests at the event included Meghan Markle, Gloria Steinem, and Oprah Winfrey.
Middle Grade Majors
On August 29, Gayle Forman (r.) made an appearance at the Hampton Library in Bridgehampton, N.Y., to celebrate the launch of her new middle grade novel Not Nothing (Aladdin). The book follows 12-year-old Alex, who is required to volunteer at a retirement home after he gets into trouble, and bonds with Holocaust survivor Josey. Forman was joined by author R.J Palacio (l.) for a conversation about community and multigenerational friendship.
When Dustin Was Here
Dustin Thao (l.) held the New York City launch for his sophomore YA novel When Haru Was Here (Wednesday Books) at B&N Union Square on September 7. The book centers on teen Eric who encountered Haru while on a trip to Japan but lost contact and is eager to rekindles their friendship now that Haru is in Chicago. Thao was joined by fellow authors Alex Aster (c.) and Adam Silvera (r.) for a conversation about the book and signed copies for readers afterwards.
Festival Friendships
From (l.): Dean Hale, Kazu Kibuishi, and Shannon Hale together at the Bigfoot Kids’ Book Festival in Redmond, Wash., on September 7.
Meet Me at the Met
Steven Weinberg celebrated the release of his new picture book What Is Color? (Roaring Brook) with an event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 8. Weinberg led a workshop for kids to learn about color and create art of their own.
