Recently, an author visited two author friends on a school visit; collaborators launched their new book; an author brought students to an iconic N.Y.C. spot featured in his book; a picture book creator attended a premiere for a film adaptation; an author celebrated the anniversary of a famous broadcast; and organizations partnered for an event.
School Visit Surprise
Lisa Yee (r.) and Dan Santat’s (l.) tour for their middle grade collaboration The Misfits (Random House) brought them to Austin, Tex., where they made school visits organized with local bookstore BookPeople. On February 1, fellow author Christina Soontornvat (c.) also stopped by the school, where her daughter is a student.
Sky High
Authors Sherri L. Smith (l.) and Elizabeth Wein (r.) visited Octavia E. Butler Magnet STEAM Middle School in Pasadena, Calif., to celebrate the launch of their new nonfiction book, American Wings: Chicago’s Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky (Putnam). The book highlights the Black Americans who made substantial contributions to aviation technology and training ahead of WWII.
Mission Accomplished
James Ponti (l.) celebrated the publication of Mission Manhattan (S&S/Aladdin), the fifth book in his City Spies series, by visiting an iconic New York City location. On February 7 at the New York Public Library, Ponti gave a talk to local middle-school students. Afterwards, the kids were given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the library. Here, Ponti poses with Simon & Schuster staffers who attended the event.
Star Treatment
On January 28, author-illustrator Emma Yarlett (c.) attended the Netflix premiere of Orion and the Dark (Candlewick/Templar), the DreamWorks animated film based on her picture book. Here, Yarlett appears with producer Peter McCown (l.) and director Sean Charmatz (r.).
Beatlemania
On February 9, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Beatles’ first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, Dan Gutman (front c.) invited readers to visit him in front of the Ed Sullivan Theater, where he signed and gave away copies of his book Wait! What? The Beatles Couldn’t Read Music? (Norton).
AAPI Celebration
On February 8. the Asian American Foundation and Third State Books partnered to host a book launch party for graphic novel Fighting to Belong! (Third State) at Hana House in New York City. The graphic novel shines a light on the unique challenges and contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islanders. A panel featuring (from l.) illustrator Louie Chin, writer Alexander Chang, and comics writer Amy Chu was held, followed by games, snacks, crafts, a lion dance, and free copies of the series debut.
