This week, Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes visit patients at Boston Medical Center; a parade float honors Anica Mrose Rissi’s The Teacher’s Pet; Todd Parr and his fans volunteer at a food bank; and Dianne White says hello to her new picture book.
Getting Better All the Time
Rescue & Jessica co-authors Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes recently visited and read to patients at Boston Medical Center, along with Kensky’s service dog, Rescue. Kensky spent five weeks at that hospital following the injuries she sustained during the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, and Rescue was instrumental in her recovery. Kensky and Downes donated copies of the picture book to the hospital.
Hippos on Parade
Author Anica Mrose Rissi and her book, The Teacher’s Pet (Disney-Hyperion), were honored on a float in the Stonington Public Library’s (in Deer Isle, Maine) Fourth of July parade. This year’s theme was “Story Books.” Rissi, who grew up in Deer Isle, was in town for the event and even dressed up like Mr. Stricter, the teacher in The Teacher’s Pet. Here, she holds a sign featuring the book cover; in the background is the float’s giant hippo—modeled after the hippo in the story.
A Helping Hand
Author-illustrator Todd Parr recently volunteered with the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. Along with Parr, more than 60 of his fans gathered for #ToddParrDay, volunteering alongside Parr to sort and box 9,000 pounds of fruit for those in need of fresh food. Parr also gave a reading and free signed copies of Love the World to fans. In addition, Parr raffled off an exclusive visit to one attendee’s school.
You Say Goodbye!
Author Dianne White celebrated the publication of her book, Goodbye Brings Hello: A Book of Firsts, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman (HMH), during an event held at Pueblo Grande Museum in Phoenix. The event was part of the Maricopa County Reads program and was sponsored by the Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary, in partnership with Changing Hands Bookstore and used book retailer Bookmans. Pictured are White, her son, and grandson.
