Recently, an author sat in on rehearsal for a stage adaptation of her book, an illustrator and drag queen joined forces for a storytime, illustrators gathered to speak on a panel, and a bookstore welcomed a hometown author.
Anna Hibiscus Sings Her Song
Children’s author Atinuke recently attended rehearsals for the forthcoming U.K. stage tour of her early chapter book Anna Hibiscus' Song (Kane Miller). The book, illustrated by Lauren Tobia, centers the titular Anna, who lives in Africa, and has so much joy within her that she turns to her family to find out how to share her joy with others. The stage tour by Utopia Theatre and Sheffield Theatres kicks off on August 28 and will travel across the U.K. through October 20. Shown here: Anna Hibiscus’ Song actors (from l.) Dorthea Darby and Malick Bojang.
Stay for Storytime
On August 9, illustrator Michelle Jing Chan (l.) made an appearance at Charlie’s Queer Books in Seattle, Wash., for her picture book Stay Angry, Little Girl (Farrar, Straus and Giroux). Inspired by a quote from Madeleine L'Engle, the picture book encourages girls to embrace their anger. Chan was joined by drag queen Aleksa Manila for a reading of the book.
Illustrators Illuminate
During the SCWBI Virtual Summer Conference earlier this month, an Illustrator Intensive took place via Zoom on August 4. (Clockwise from top l.): Pat Cummings, National Book Award winner Dan Santat, Caldecott Medalist Brian Selznick, and Caldecott Honor artist LeUyen Pham discussed their artistic processes.
Hometown Hero
Pam Vaughan dropped by her hometown bookstore The Silver Unicorn in Acton, Mass., on August 6 for the launch for her debut picture book Missy Wants a Mammoth (Pixel+Ink). The picture book, illustrated by Ariel Landy, follows Missy, who after discovering wooly mammoths at the Museum of Natural History wants one of her own. Vaughan held a reading and q&a.
