Recently an author announced a new book, a comedian made her middle grade debut, a former state official discussed her picture book, the New York Stock Exchange hosted a launch event, a chef hosted an event at his home, and an author presented her book to students during Banned Books Week.
A New ‘Run’
Caldecott Medalist Brian Selznick (c.) attended the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association meeting on October 1, shown here with (from l.) Scholastic editor Ken Geist, Scholastic VP of trade sales Elizabeth Whiting, Scholastic district sales rep Chris Satterlund, and Queen Anne Book Co. children’s buyer Tegan Tigani. Selznick told booksellers at PBNA that his forthcoming YA debut, Run Away with Me, about two boys falling in love in Rome, emerged from his thinking about those times “when who we say we are differs from who we know we are.”
Mad About You
On September 30, fellow comedians and Saturday Night Live alums Kate McKinnon (l.) and Seth Meyers appeared in conversation at the 92nd Street Y in New York City in honor of the launch of McKinnon’s debut middle grade novel, The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science (Little, Brown). The duo discussed craft, characters, and the classic books that shaped them as kids. Meyers has also written for young readers; his debut picture book, I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared!, illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr., was published in 2022.
Stacey on Stage
On September 24, in partnership with Greenlight Bookstore, the Brooklyn Academy of Music hosted “An Evening for Families with Stacey Abrams” at BAM Fisher (Fishman Space) in Brooklyn. The event highlighted the politician and voting rights activist’s most recent picture book, Stacey Speaks Up, illustrated by Kitt Thomas, which follows young Stacey’s mission to ensure every student can enjoy a meal at school. Abrams (r.) was joined by actor and author Maulik Pancholy for a conversation.
Early Start for Entrepreneurs
The New York Stock Exchange hosted a launch event on September 30 for Deena Shakir’s (l.) picture book Leena Mo, Ceo (Salaam Reads). Lynn Martin, president of the New York Stock Exchange, gave an introduction to the evening, followed by a reading from Shakir and a conversation with Chelsea Clinton (r.). The inventiveness of the picture book’s titular star leads to her decision to start her own business.
‘Gracing the Table’ IRL
On September 24, Simon & Schuster’s Denene Millner Books hosted a publication party at the home of Alexander Smalls, a Grammy, Tony, and James Beard Award-winning chef and author, ahead of the release of his debut children’s book, When Alexander Graced the Table. Illustrated by Frank Morrison and based on Smalls’s adult memoir and cookbook of the same name, the picture book follows young Alex who prepares to share his first-ever dish with his family during Sunday dinner. Here (from top l.) Jawn Murray, Denene Millner, (center row, from l.), Audra Boltion-Ortiz, Sheinelle Jones, Michael Michele, (bottom row, from l.) Lori Stokes, and Alexander Smalls.
Talking Banned Books
Students at the Kennedy School in Somerville, Mass., welcomed author Dana Alison Levy on September 24, during Banned Books Week, for a presentation about her middle grade novel Not Another Banned Book (Delacorte). In the book, after Molly’s favorite teacher is suspended for sharing a controversial book, Molly and her friends are determined to prove why books are essential.
