In Brief: September 30

Talking Books in Baltimore

The National Book Festival wasn’t the only game in town this past weekend: now in its 15th year, the three-day Baltimore Book Festival also took place, with more than 225 authors coming out to discuss their books, sign copies, and meet fans. Authors Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (l.) and Margaret Peterson Haddix (r.) presented their most recent books: Sabotaged (S&S, Aug.), the third book in Haddix’s Missing series, and Emily’s Fortune (Random, June), a Wild West adventure from Naylor. Other children’s book authors at the festival included Rebecca and Ed Emberley, Mem Fox, Kevin O’Malley, James Proimos, and Judith Viorst.

Last week, the Thalia Kids Book Club at Symphony Space in New York City hosted the editors of and several contributors to the new collection Zombies vs. Unicorns (S&S/McElderry, Sept.) to debate the very question the book raises—which creature is better? Seen here (clockwise from top l.) are Scott Westerfeld, editors Justine Larbalestier and Holly Black, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Naomi Novik, and Alaya Dawn Johnson. And although PW’s starred review of the book said “Zombies or unicorns? There’s no clear winner, unless it’s readers,” kids at the event felt otherwise—giving zombies the nod.

Authors and spouses Rich Wallace and Sandra Neil Wallace recently visited Toadstool Bookshop in Keene, N.H., their home state, to promote their children’s books—both have new books out from Knopf. Rich launched his soccer-themed Kickers series this summer with two books, Ball Hogs and Fake Out; a third, Benched, is due in October. In August, Sandra published her first children’s book, Little Joe, about a boy’s friendship with a young calf; she is currently working on a historical novel. According to Sandra’s blog, around 35 people came out to hear the authors speak, and they signed 60 copies of their books.

Writer Lisi Harrison just wrapped up her tour for Monster High (Poppy, Sept.), first in a new series about Frankie Stein, who not long after being created in her father’s basement is about to attend a regular high school. On her tour Harrison visited several cities in Texas, as well as Boston, New York City, and New Jersey. At her first stop, Bobby Shaw Middle School in Houston, Harrison discussed the book with 24 students (seen here) in a school book club; the club members were allowed to doctor up their school uniforms for the occasion. Fans at Harrison’s events received Monster High T-shirts and collector’s item dolls from Mattel.

The annual Children’s Book Day at Washington Irving’s former home took place on September 19 in Tarrytown, N.Y. More than 50 authors signed books for fans, who were also treated to author presentations, music, activities, and tours of the historic site. Here, Gary Golio signs copies of his new picture book, Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow, with (r. to l.) authors Susanna Reich, Marisabina Russo, and Victoria Kann in the background. Other attendees included Michael Buckley, Bryan Collier, Jules Feiffer, Jean Craighead George, Jerry Pinkney, Rebecca Stead, and Ed Young, among many more.