This week, fans show some love for Erin Entrada Kelly; authors and illustrators accept their Ezra Jack Keats book awards; Eloise Greenfield is honored; Melissa de la Cruz gets chummy with Descendants fans; and Kate Beasley enjoys a warm elementary school welcome.
A Big Hello!
Erin Entrada Kelly, winner of the 2018 Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe (Greenwillow), is currently on an eight-city book tour for You Go First, with stops in New Orleans, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. During a school visit at Sacred Heart Academy in New Orleans, arranged by Octavia Books, Kelly received an enthusiastic greeting from a big fan.
Honored Guests
Winners and honorees for the 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Book Awards attended an award presentation in Hattiesburg at the University of Southern Mississippi on April 12. The event was held in conjunction with the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival. From left: Gordon C. James (New Illustrator Honor for Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut); E.B. Goodale (New Illustrator Honor for Windows); Bianca Díaz (New Illustrator Honor for The One Day House); Evan Turk (Book Award, New Illustrator for Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters); Derrick Barnes (Book Award, New Writer for Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut); Elaine Magliaro (New Writer Honor for Things to Do); and Jessixa Bagley (New Writer Honor for Laundry Day).
Happy Eloise Greenfield Day!
Sankofa Bookstore in Washington, D.C., held a celebration for Eloise Greenfield on April 22, which was proclaimed Eloise Greenfield Day by the mayor. Greenfield (pictured here) is the author of 48 children’s books, including Honey, I Love. Greenfield spoke to the crowd of attendees and in conversation with her daughter. The event also featured musical performances and readings of Greenfield’s work.
Fan Favorite
Author Melissa de la Cruz recently wrapped up a 12-city tour for Love & War (Putnam), sequel to Alex & Eliza, with packed houses at every stop of the tour. Here, the author meets readers at Barnes & Noble in Frisco, Tex., on April 17. On Instagram, de la Cruz captioned the photo with: “Descendants fans are hype yo! They asked me to sign their hands lol.”
One Leap to Greatness
Kate Beasley (l.) recently toured for the paperback publication of Gertie’s Leap to Greatness. While in Richmond, Va., Beasley visited Bettie Weaver Elementary School, where she was welcomed by Gertie-themed student artwork and by the school’s librarian, Lara Ivey.
