This week, A Wrinkle in Time actor Storm Reid makes some special deliveries; Jarrett J. Krosoczka takes his Jedi Academy series on a cruise; New England Patriot Malcolm Mitchell celebrates his new picture book; author Jean Reagan and illustrator Lee Wildish meet in London; bilingual book authors and illustrators talk shop; and a new exhibition celebrates Coretta Scott King Award and Honor recipients.
Once Upon a ‘Wrinkle in Time’
Storm Reid, the 14-year-old star of Disney’s movie adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, made a few special stops while on her press tour for the film. As part of a partnership between Disney and the Little Free Library nonprofit organization, she is visiting Little Free Libraries around the country to drop off copies of the classic novel. Here, she delivers a book to a Little Free Library in Houston.
When Wookies Read
Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author of the Jedi Academy series, spoke to approximately 200 Star Wars fans aboard the Disney Fantasy cruise ship. The event was part of Disney Cruise Line’s Star Wars Day at Sea. The sixth book in Krosoczka’s series, The Principal Strikes Back, will be released this summer. Here, Krosoczka and his daughters are joined by Chewbacca as they read from A New Class (Star Wars: Jedi Academy #4).
How Do You Do?
Malcolm Mitchell—wide receiver for the New England Patriots—was recently on tour for his picture book, The Magician’s Hat (Scholastic), which Mitchell originally self-published. The athlete-turned-author made stops in Boston, New York, and Atlanta. While at The Story Shop bookstore in Monroe, Ga., on March 3, Mitchell made the acquaintance of this starstruck fan, Emma, age three.
Hello, Stranger!
Author Jean Reagan had the opportunity to meet—for the first time—the illustrator of her How To series of picture books, Lee Wildish. The two met in London on February 26 at the headquarters of their British publisher, Hodder, and headed to the office’s rooftop to admire the view. (From l.): Lee Wildish, Hodder picture book publisher Emma Layfield, and Jean Reagan.
Bilingual Book Talk
Guest speakers and attendees braved a nor’easter on March 3 to attend Bank Street College’s Bilingual Books and Latinx Communities Conference. The event welcomed multiple children’s book authors and illustrators who spoke about their craft. Here, (from l.) moderator Sujei Lugo, Boston Public Library; Emma Otheguy (Marti’s Song of Freedom/Martí y sus versos por la libertad); Cecelia Ruiz (A Gift from Abuela); and Susie Jaramillo (Little Skeletons/Esqueletitos: Countdown to Midnight), discuss the joys and challenges of writing and illustrating bilingual board and picture books for kids. Angela Dominguez was scheduled to speak on the panel but was delayed because of the weather.
An Abilene Welcome
The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature in Abilene, Tex., recently welcomed Dr. Claudette S. McLinn, Coretta Scott King Book Awards chair, and Abilene’s mayor, Anthony Williams, to its new exhibition. Currently on display is Our Voice: Celebrating the Coretta Scott King Illustrators, a partnership between the NCCIL and ALA’s Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table. The exhibition, which features the work of 34 award and honor winning artists, runs until May 19. The exhibition will then tour nationally.
