Roker Picks 'Middleworld'

Al Roker has chosen Jon and Pamela Voelkel's Middleworld as the latest book for his Al's Book Club for Kids segment on the Today Show. The first book in the Jaguar Stones series, Middleworld was first published in 2007 by Smith and Kraus; Egmont USA released an updated paperback edition in April, and the second book, The End of the World Club, is due from Egmont in late December. Click here to read an excerpt from the book.

A Charitable Evening... with ‘Meatballs’

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs author Judi Barrett (seen here) recently participated in a benefit for Share Our Strength at Yale University. The “Taste of the Nation” event raised money to feed hungry people in Connecticut. Barrett signed and sold more than 100 copies of her book; giant blowups of the artwork from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs decorated the school’s Woolsey Hall, as did life-size meatballs and clouds, which were hung from the ceiling.

A Creepy Commencement

Author R.L. Stine gave his first-ever commencement speach last Wednesday at Macaulay College, the honors college of the City University of New York. Given the author's bestselling Goosebumps and Goosebumps HorrorLand series, it's fitting that Stine took advantage of the event to tell a ghost story to the soon-to-be graduates. Said Stine, “It seemed like the thing to do.”

Stanley’s Stage Premiere

Stanley, the canine star of Linda Bailey’s picture book series, made his way to the stage during a monthlong run of Stanley’s Party at Manhattan Children’s Theatre in New York City. The musical is based on the first two books in the series from Kids Can Press, Stanley’s Party (2003) and Stanley’s Wild Ride (2006), both illustrated by Bill Slavin. Click here for a peek at the “Doggie Dance” from the production.

Gownley on the Go

Author/Illustrator Jimmy Gownley recently wrapped up a 10-city tour for the latest addition to his Amelia Rules! series, The Tweenage Guide to Not Being Unpopular (S&S/Atheneum, Apr.). Gownley visited schools, libraries, book festivals (including the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books), and bookstores while on tour. Here, Gownley gives a drawing demonstration at Heatherwood Middle School in Mill Creek, Wash.