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Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: Book fair, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 25 of 31
1. First Book Concierge Services: A Helping Hand For Large Orders

We know how hard our members work for the kids they serve, their schools or programs, and their communities. The First Book Network strives every day to put high-quality, diverse books into the hands of kids in need — books that might encourage a reluctant reader, reveal distant worlds, or open eager minds to new ideas. Books help reinforce students’ interests and celebrate their strengths.

truckload_box_webThe Concierge Services team at First Book is here to help members who need a larger quantity of books. For events large and small, we provide the kind of high-touch, hands-on service that relieves you of the burden of logistics and allows every child you serve to find a book they love.

We are available to work with educators and program leaders to create a book list or collection that will fit your program’s needs and reflect the diversity of the population you serve. As experts in children’s books — with backgrounds in children’s literacy, education, and publishing — our team can guide you through the process.

If you are:

  • Planning a book fair
  • Building classroom libraries
  • Sending home books as part of an after-school/summer program
  • Creating a shared reading experience, or
  • Distributing school supplies or basic needs items

We can provide you with a range of book choices for any age group, create an affordable package, and track the order right to your doorstep.conciergeeeee

Over the next few months, the First Book blog will highlight some of the work Concierge Services has done to connect kids in need with stories and characters that they love. We are here to make things a little easier — to equip you with the resources you need to do the essential work of changing your students’ lives.

 

If you serve children in low-income communities and need a large quantity of books or resources at the best possible price, reach out to First Book’s Concierge Services at [email protected] or call the Member Services Team at 866.732.3669 and ask for Concierge Services.

The post First Book Concierge Services: A Helping Hand For Large Orders appeared first on First Book Blog.

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2. Beyond business and the book fair: exploring Frankfurt

The world’s biggest book fair is opening its doors soon and, as a native “Frankfurter” working in the publishing industry, it's the time of year that my colleagues start asking me about my hometown. Sadly, the most common thing I hear is that there is little that they know beyond Frankfurt airport and the exhibition centre.

The post Beyond business and the book fair: exploring Frankfurt appeared first on OUPblog.

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3. Ballou Book Fair

Every year, Colleen from Chasing Ray and Guys Lit Wire sets up a special book fair connected to Ballou Senior High School in Washington, D.C. In Colleen's own words:

Every year, Guys Lit Wire lends its platform to host a book fair for Ballou. Working with librarian Melissa Jackson and her students, we build a wish list of titles they need and then ask the internet to buy a book (or 2) (or more) and send some joy their way. It's quick and it's easy and for book lovers in particular, it's a no-brainer.

We all know that books matter to kids, and we all know why buying books for teens who do not have wide access to them is a smart investment in our world's future. For Ballou, the school fund for book purchases is not large and as a Washington Post article showed earlier this year, the dollars for books in DC often go to wealthier neighborhoods. Also, when they get money schools like Ballou are often not able to purchase the sort of fun or seemingly frivolous titles that teens would really to read.

That is where the Guys Lit Wire Book Fair for Ballou comes in. We buy the books the kids ask for, plain and simple.

The mailing address is already set-up for checkout and there are nearly 400 books to choose from with a price range that starts under $5. We do hope you will find a book that you want to send to Ballou and help us fill their shelves with the titles these kids want so very much to read.


Here's the wishlist: http://tinyurl.com/BookFairforBallou

Please share the link to the wishlist as well as the link to Colleen's post at GLW via your blogs and social media to help spread the word.

Don't let it stop there. If you know of a library, school, shelter, or hospital that's in great need of books and other items, give back. Rally up your co-workers, patrons, students, and friends, gather donated items (new or gently used), and donate them to your chosen organization or charity. Share your good fortune and good spirits with others.

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4. Jozi Book Fair

The Jozi Book Fair will be held from 11 – 13 September on Wits Campus with the theme Children’s Literature and Childhood. SCBWI will have a stand and some of our members will be hosting events. See www.jozibookfair.org.za Authors and illustrators of children’s books who are members of SCBWI are invited to exhibit their books, promotional material or artwork (space permitting). In exchange, they

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5. Important notice: SA Book Fair to be held in Johannesburg

The SABF is being held from 31 July to 2 August in Johannesburg this year. They are offering illustrators the opportunity to demonstrate at an illustration easel. Every hour on the hour, there will be a different illustrator at the easel for children to watch. There are 18 slots over the three days that can be filled on a roster basis. Please contact Jenny at [email protected] by 17

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6. Fusenews: “Red Nine doth here stand by”

  • Me stuff.  You have been warned.  So the first thing to know today is that this coming Saturday I’ll be speaking at the Eric Carle Museum about Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children’s Literature.  It will prove to be an amusing talk and if you live in the area I’d desperately love it if you could attend.  I’d like to see your smiling faces, rather than the sea of empty chairs that greets me whenever I close my eyes and imagine worst case scenarios.  It will be at 1 p.m.  In other news, the panel I conducted on Native Fiction was summarized at Tu Books as well as a rather in-depth write-up in Publishers Weekly.  So well done there.  Finally Jules and I were interviewed in conjunction with our book by Cynthia Leitich Smith over at Cynsations.  Woohoo!

HogwartsPoster Fusenews: Red Nine doth here stand by

  • And for those of you who know who Suzuki Beane is, enjoy this little GIF of her dancing up a storm.  If I were ever to get a tattoo it would be one of those images.  Or this one.  Thanks to Sara O’Leary for the GIF.
  • Monica Edinger was kind enough to field some questions from Jules and me about obscure Alice in Wonderland facts.  I thought I’d heard them all, but that was before I learned about Harry, Alice Liddell’s older, forgotten brother.  A boy who existed before Alice?  There’s a book in that . . .
  • Okay.  So we all know that we need diverse books.  Understood.  Done.  But where precisely do you find lists of such titles?  Check out the all new Where to Find Diverse Books site.  Everything from books on disability to Islam to LGBTQIA is included.  Think something’s missing?  Let ‘em know!
  • Things I Didn’t Know: So when we talk about podcasts of children’s literature we rarely consider the academic side of things.  Imagine then my delight when I discovered the Raab Children’s Literature Podcasts created for the Northeast Children’s Literature Collection and the Teachers for a New Era Project.  Quite the listing!
  • And speaking of Things I Didn’t Know (a topic worthy of its own post, I suspect) Jules recently discovered that there is such a thing as a Coretta Scott King Book Awards Fair out there.  Did you know that?  I, for one, did not.  The event “celebrates the Coretta Scott King Awards, those authors and illustrators who have received the award, and books that (as the Award states) demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture.”  Jules interviews the organizer and founder of the event, Collette Hopkins.  Interested in bringing it to your city?  Read on.
  • So I was moderating a panel at a Penguin Random House teacher event this past Monday (I’m just dropping the “Me Stuff” left and right today) and one of the giveaways was Ian Doescher’s William Shakespeare’s Star Wars.  I’m sure you’re familiar with it.  It seemed like a cute gimmick and I thought maybe to snag a copy and give it to my brother for Christmas or something.  Little did I realize that it’s actually a rather brilliant piece of work.  From R2-D2′s soliloquy placing him squarely as a trickster character in the vein of a Puck, to Han Solo’s line after shooting Greedo (“[To innkeeper] Pray, goodly Sir, forgive me for the mess. / [Aside] And whether I shot first, I’ll ne’er confess!”) I was hooked the minute I read it.  My husband’s been on a bit of a Star Wars kick himself as of late.  First there was his three part series on “Why We Like Luke Skywalker”.  Matt posed the question to James Kennedy and got an epic response that is worth reading in Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.  Then there was Matt’s post on what Jonathan Auxier’s The Night Gardener and Star Wars have in common.  There are other Star Wars posts as well that are worth discovering but I think these make for pretty in-depth reading anyway.
  • Daily Image: With Halloween on the horizon it’s time to start thinking about costumes.  For inspiration, why not check out BuzzFeed’s 31 Amazing Teacher Halloween Costumes?  Lots of children’s literature references in there.  Three of my favorites included:

MadelineCostumes 500x500 Fusenews: Red Nine doth here stand by

MsFrizzleCostume Fusenews: Red Nine doth here stand by

BadCaseStripesCostume Fusenews: Red Nine doth here stand by

Thanks to Kate for the link.

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3 Comments on Fusenews: “Red Nine doth here stand by”, last added: 10/17/2014
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7. Book Fair - Destin International Book Fair - November 15-16, 2014 - Registration Deadline: November 1, 2014


Attention: All authors in northern Florida, southern Alabama and southern Georgia with traditional or self-published books in any genre are invited to participate in the Destin International Book Fair-Fall 2014, scheduled for November 15 & 16, 2014, at the Emerald Grande Resort, 10 Harbor Blvd, Destin, Florida.  Hours will be from 9:00am to 5:00pm each day. Cost is $120 for the 2 days.
 
This BOOK FAIR is intended for the sole purpose of presenting authors the opportunity to sell their books to the public and is not organized as a literary conference, writer’s workshop, lecture series or a venue to meet agents and publishers.
 
To apply go to http://www.destinintlbookfair.com/application.html and submit the electronic application form. Space is limited and will sell out quickly, so apply early. Application DEADLINE is November 1, 2014. Submissions will close when applications for all available spaces have been filled.
 
If you know of anyone that might be interested in applying to the Destin International Book Fair-Fall 2014, please feel free to pass this message on.
 
If you have any questions, please feel free contact me at the email address listed on the web site.
 
Thank you.
 
Nelson O. Ottenhausen
Project Manager

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author



Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!



Connect with

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Farvorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist
















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8. Bologna or bust!

It's that time of year again: the Bologna Book Fair is starting a few short days! But right now I'm 6152 miles away from it—and that's something that would normally give me a case of the Bologna Blues. BUT!!!  I've had a bit of good news... 

...my illustrations (from Crocodile Shoes) are among the finalists in SCBWI-Bologna's Illustration Show, and I am very honored!

Ever since 2004, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators has maintained a regular presence at the Bologna Book Fair — their stand there hosts many activities as well as the Illustrator's Gallery. Participation is open to SCBWI members internationally, and it attracts illustrators from all over.

I'm in good company this year — the wonderful illustrators Isabel Roxas and Maple Lam, to name just two. And in previous years, there has been a stellar cast of artists from around the world: Sophie Blackall, Eliza Wheeler, Jane Ray, Constanze Von Kitzing, Satoshi Kitamura, Jennifer Thermes, G.Brian Karas, and Barbara McClintock.  Not too shabby!


So if you do find yourself in Bologna (lucky you!), the SCBWI stand is at A/66 in Pavilion 26... that's the area that usually has a majority of English-language publishers present. Stop by and say hello!

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9. LEE & LOW at Brooklyn Book Festival on Sunday, 9/22

Lee & Low Books will be at the Brooklyn Book Festival next Sunday, September 22, and we’d love to see you! Stop by booth #129 (next to Bank Street Books) and say hello.

BBF image2

artwork from Hiromi’s Hands, written and illustrated by Lynne Barasch

Brooklyn Book Festival will be at Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza, 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn NY 11201.

SIGNINGS

Shadra Strickland 11:00am-12:00pm, 2:00-3:00p

Lulu Delacre, illustrator of How Far Do You Love Me? and Arrorro, mi niño: Latino Lullabies and Gentle Games

George Ford 3:15pm-4:00pm

George Ford, illustrator of Paul Robeson and Ray Charles

George Ford3:15pm-4:00pm

Javaka Steptoe, illustrator of In Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall and author/illustrator of The Jones Family Express


Filed under: Fairs/Conventions Tagged: author readings, author signings, book fair, books, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Book Festival, children's books, diversity, Multicultural Interest

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10. My 'Swap!' Artwork Goes to Frankfurt


On Thursday morning, I discovered that the deadline for getting my Swap! artwork to my publisher, in time for them to prepare it for presentation at the Frankfurt Book Fair, was today. Yikes! I thought I had a little longer, and have been trying to get as much done as possible but,  come Friday afternoon, I had to stop and post what I'd done to date.

It's not too bad: I've completed over 7 spreads, so enough to get a good flavour of how the finished book will look.

Luckily, with John to help me, I was relieved of the task of cutting all the mounts, labelling all the artwork and packaging everything up, (which seems to take ages), so I was able to continue with the artwork up to the last minute. 
By Thursday evening I'd finished the spread I started that morning, the final spread of the book, and wasn't sure how best to spend my final day. 

It's always a problem when half my artwork is sent on ahead - I'm left with no colour reference for the rest of the illustrations, so have to down-tools until it's returned.  
So, I hatched a cunning plan... I decided to spend my last day colouring something I wouldn't send with the rest: 


I worked on the vignettes for the back endpapers, doing all 6 together, since they are so similar. Sparky is in lots of positions, so I get all his markings recorded, plus the ballet costume colours, ready to do the ballet spread next.

8 Comments on My 'Swap!' Artwork Goes to Frankfurt, last added: 9/21/2012
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11. Princeton Children’s Book Festival: Saturday, September 8, 2012

Guess what? I got into Princeton!

Wait a minute, though. Before you go shining up a class ring for me and calling Goldman Sachs to tell them they’ll have a new CEO in a few years, I should probably qualify that statement. I wasn’t invited to Princeton the University. I was invited to Princeton the Children’s Book Festival.

Which, of course, is even better!

Here are the details:

Saturday, September 8, 2012
11am–4pm
Princeton Public Library
65 Witherspoon Street
Princeton, NJ 08542 

I’ll be hanging out in the Purple Tent, signing copies of DWEEB and The Only Ones. We can chat about The Riverman Trilogy, maybe talk some sports or movies, and perhaps solve some of the world’s problems. Hope to see you there!

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12. Ernestine Visits Rotterdam

On May 14th, Linda Ravin Lodding — author of The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister, (illustrated by Suzanne Beaky) — appeared at the First Annual Book Carnival at the American International School in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Prior to the book signing, the students enjoyed Ernestine-themed activities in the library, including kite making!

Click to view slideshow.

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13. how supporting ballou sr high school library will make you a magician

You may be thinking that magic is an illusion, a slight of hand, a trick. That's not the kind of magic I have in mind though. I'm talking about a type of magic that you see when a face lights up. It's a magic I used to live for as a teacher and one I continue to relish as a parent. It's a magic of a moment when someone receives a gift that transcends the physical. It's the Ah-ha!, the joy of

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14. July 2011 Events

Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre Exhibits and Programs~ Fremantle, Australia

Dromkeen National Centre for Picture Book Art Exhibits~ Riddells Creek, Australia

Books Illustrated Events and Exhibitions~ Middle Park, Australia

Screenings for Library of the Early Mind: a documentary film exploring childrens literature~ Canada and USA

International Youth Library Exhibits~ Munich, Germany

Seven Stories (the National Home of Children’s Books in Britain) Events~ Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom

The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature Exhibits~ Abilene, TX, USA

Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Events

Manchester Children’s Book Festival~ ongoing until July 4, Manchester, United Kingdom

London Literature Festival~ ongoing until July 14, London, United Kingdom

Japanese Children’s Literature: A History from the International Library of Children’s Literature Collections~ ongoing until Aug 21, Tokyo, Japan

Museum of Childhood Exhibit: Author and Illustrator Judith Kerr~ ongoing until Sep 4, London, United Kingdom

Meet Your Friends From Japan! An Exhibit at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art~ ongoing until Sep 20 Amherst, MA, USA

Mirror, an Exhibition by Children’s Author and Artist Jeannie Baker~ ongoing until Oct 11, Ipswich City, Australia

2012 Scholastic Asian Book Award~ entries accepted until Oct 17, Singapore

Once Upon A Wartime: Classic War Stories for Children~ ongoing until Oct 30, London, United Kingdom

The Art Institute of Chicago Presents: Artful Alphabets: Five Picture Book Artists~ ongoing until Nov 6, Chicago, IL, USA

2012 South Asia Book Award~ entries accepted until Dec 31

Exhibits of Winning Entries from the 2011 Growing Up Asian in America Contest~ ongoing until Feb 2012, USA

West Cork Literary Festival Children’s Programme~ July 3 – 9, Bantry, Ireland

NAIDOC Week~ July 3 – 10, Australia

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15. Step Right Up!!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages...Your ticket to great books is at the Lemme Book Fair, coming to the Lemme Library next week! 

April 12-15 the book fair will be open:
Before School from 8:00-8:30
During lunch from 11:30-12:05
After School from 3:00-3:30

On LEO Pizza Night, the book fair will be open while pizza is being served.

Come and find something great to read!  Al proceeds go to The Lemme PTA!  

Did you know that Lemme teachers have wish lists at the book fair?  They do!  You can buy a book and donate it to your child's classroom! 

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16. Bologna Book Fair

I got my 'Jiggle-Joggle' octopus and my 'Ick!' anteater finished. Here's octopus:

I did him blue, as it was the one colour I knew I wouldn't need for a jelly (peppermint jelly? Ugh!). If you remember, it was the suckers I still had to do when we saw him last time. I sprayed him with fixative, so I was able to load more pastel over the top of what I'd already drawn, then added the suckers with pastel pencils, to enable me to get into that level of detail:

But unfortunately, I've have had to stop work on Baby Goes Baaaa! for the moment and here's why...

The massive, international Children's Book Fair at Bologna happens every spring, and is probably the most important showcase of the year for new picture book projects. Attentions are focussed months ahead on this unbelievably intense 4 day period. Not only finished books, but pretty much all projects-in-progress must be scrubbed behind the ears and put on best behaviour, ready for presentation.

So, even though I've not quite finished (I have just 4 illustrations to go), I have to mount up everything I've done so far and post it down to Egmont, in time for them to get scans done and create a mock-up for the Book Fair. The idea is to impress as many foreign publishers as possible, to get them interested in signing up for co-editions of the book.

In the meantime, here's what my baby anteater looks like:

I've added a pattern to the romper-suit since last time, and coloured in the gooey treacle. I've left off the label on the treacle jar as usual, to allow for translations, although, someone just told me that the folks in the USA don't know what treacle is, so it might have to be labelled 'syrup' over there.

Click here if you want to re-cap on how I've been geyting on with the project so far.

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17. Penn Center and NBAF

I just returned from a three day trip with the National Black Arts Festival exploring Gullah Culture.

Gullah – one of a group of people of African ancestry that live in the Sea Islands and coastal areas of South Carolina, Georgia, and northern Florida; the creolized language of the Gullahs, based on English and several other African languages and spoken in Sea Island communities. The Gullah language is highly similar to Sierra Leone “Krio”. “Gullah” has been attributed to the Gola, a small tribe on the Sierra Leone-Liberian border where the Mende and Vai territories merge.

This past weekend was Penn Center Heritage Days on St. Helena Island. Dr. Collette Hopkins, director of Education and Public Programs, invited my mother and me to travel with the group as artist in residence. We were transported back in time when we roomed in the Hampton House, built in1904; named after the historic Hampton University.

On Friday I helped prepare and facilitate the Scholastic CSK Award book fair which serviced about 400 children in one day! Every child who attended was free to selected a FREE title from about 30 different CSK Award winning titles. On Saturday, the fair was open to families who were attending the festival. I sold books to many people, including a couple who traveled all the way from Vancouver! I also met, well renowned artist, Jonathan Green, posing here with me in my favorite TEACH THE BABIES tee by coup d’etat BROOKLYN, and holding a blackbird shadow puppet made by Allen with the Center for Puppetry Arts. This year’s featured book fair title was Ashley Bryan’s BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD.



“White Breeze” 1995
Oil on Canvas 48″ x 60″
Jonathan Green
Copyright Jonathan Green Studios, Inc. 1995

Because I was working on Friday and Saturday I wasn’t able to walk the island and visit the local art gallery. I did; however, get to enjoy the fish fry on our first evening there, take in the community parade that was held Saturday morning, and a couple of the acts that performed on the main stage of the festival. The volunteers and staff of NBAF were some of the nicest and highly spirited ladies I have met. We had a ball.

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18. Southern Festival of Books Wrap-Up

Two weeks ago I drove up to Nashville, TN to speak with Jewell Parker Rhodes at the Southern Festival of Books. Not only did I get to meet a wonderful author, but I was able to spend some quality time with my younger brother and take him to his very first book festival. On the way up we listened to Sherman Alexie‘s THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART TIME INDIAN. A few years back Chris Myers introduced me to Sherman Alexie’s poetry, specifically his list poems. He’s an outstanding storyteller and all of his accolades are so well deserved.

We stopped in Chattanooga to eat and visit the Hunter Museum of American Art. My brother was “blown away” (pun intended) by the Stephen Rolfe Powell glass sculpture exhibit. Along with the live glass exhibit, there was a viewing area that showed videos about Chihuly and other glass artists and their work. Needless to say, we both walked away wanting to be glass artists for at least a day.

In the permanent collection was also a Thomas Hart Benton and an impressive Radcliffe Bailey piece on display among many other wonderful works of art.

After leaving the museum we stopped for a bite of sushi and headed on up to Nashville. We were hosted by two of the nicest folks I’ve ever met in the book world, Robin Smith and Dean Schnieder (of “The Dean’s List”). Robin gave me a tour of her lovely home that’s full of books and ART! while Dean and my brother chewed the fat over funky jazz tunes. The next morning Robin and Dean hosted breakfast with homemade lemony cinnamon rolls, egg soufflé, and coffee! The table was abuzz with conversation from some very cool folks like Deb Wiles (whose blog I’m referring to in aiding my memory) Ellen Wittlinger; Squire Babcock from Murray, Kentucky; Ellen’s husband, David (the photographer); Robin; Ellen’s daughter, Kate Pritchard; and her brand-new husband, Mark Letcher. What a way to start the day.

Shortly after breakfast we were off to work! Jewell Parker Rhodes is a delight of a lady. The only thing better than reading NINTH WARD is listening to Jewell read from NINTH WARD and hear her motivation behind the book. After our talk we signed a few books and said our goodbyes.

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19. The Frankfurt Report

Every year Frankfurt, Germany hosts the largest international book fair (Buch Messe) in the world. Last week, I took the train down to Frankfurt to see what all the excitement is about.

In the picture above, taken by Sarah Johnson, my gracious host and guide, I’m in the Boyds Mills Press booth, where Slowpoke was displayed (way down in the corner to my left). Yeah, my expression is strange. Just to my right the BMP foreign rights rep was having a meeting, so I guess I was feeling a little silly posing for a shot right beside them.

This book fair is all business. Whereas at librarian and teacher conferences  the booth folk are very chatty, here they are all booked from morning til night with business meetings. There are few authors or educator types or average joe book customers, and the books aren’t sold individually. The idea is to show them to foreign publishers who might want to buy the rights and re-publish in another country/ language.  Like this:

The hall for German publishers is a little different, with readings and cookbook demos and tv interviews going on all day. It had by far the most traffic of all the halls. Interestingly, the BMP booth was located in this hall, not with all the other American and British publishers in another hall.

American friends who had been before all told me to wear walking shoes. Now that I live in Germany, all my shoes are walking shoes. It was good advice, though. My shoes held up fine, but I was definitely sore from walking for hours and hours.

It was fascinating to see the books being written and published in countries all across the world. Even though I’m living overseas, I often still forget that the U.S. is just one market, just one place people make and read books, and English is just one language of many. The picture book artwork really stood out to me—-so many fresh and fabulous images.

Some of my favorite covers:

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20. Road Trip!

I am driving up to TN this weekend to speak at the Southern Festival of Books. I looooovvvvvveeeee road trips. With the changing leaves it should be a gorgeous drive up. Hope to see you there.

I will be presenting on a panel “Katrina’s Children: Moving Beyond the Storm Together” with Jewell Parker Rhodes (yippie!) on October 10, from 1:00-2:00PM at the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville, TN.

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21. Brrr! Grrr! Dinosaures!

Poemes prehistorics amb humor, sorpreses, informacio i ... TERROR!

The postman just bought me another of those lovely, surprise packages. When I opened it up I found... 4 translated co-edition copies of Gnash, Gnaw, Dinosaur!. I thought they were in Spanish (what a dimmucks... dimmocks?.. dimmox?.. idiot!) but I've just been reliable informed that the language is in fact Portuguese. Aha!

As always, I'd rather my books be read by children than just sit on shelves, so I'm giving them away. So - anyone out there with children that read Portuguese? Better still, do you have a 'good cause' I could donate a copy to, like a school, library or some such? Let me know and a signed copy could be on it's way to you next week.

Today I am also wondering how Bears on the Stairs got on at the Frankfurt Book Fair... It's SO important these days that other countries sign up for co-editions of new titles, especially America. Crossing fingers that they liked it!

6 Comments on Brrr! Grrr! Dinosaures!, last added: 10/18/2009
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22. Baltimore Book Fair Recap

Picture 1

The Baltimore Book Fair was a great success! I had a chance to see some old friends, meet a few new little people and share my love of books and drawings. The best part of the day was when, while illustrating on stage with a few kids, I needed to draw a road. I drew two lines diminishing to a single vanishing point (art lingo for those in the know ;-) ). One young girl says, “that doesn’t look like a road!”. I say “you’re right”, add dotted lines down the middle (also toward the vanishing point), after which I hear a loud “that’s so AWESOME!” from a young artist (who informed me that he draws in a sketchbook at home earlier in the presentation).  I think it was his first perspective lesson. . . mind officially blown.

Thanks to Lee &  Low for arranging the visit and Heather C. (organizer and talent handler extraordinaire). For more pics check out the Flickr stream from book lover, P. Bee. Thanks Baltimore!

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23. Baltimore Book Fair

Hey Baltimore! Come out this Sunday to see yours truly and Zetta Elliott at the 14th annual Baltimore Book Festival. We will be presenting BIRD, Sunday, September 27th at 1:00PM. Look for us at the Children’s Bookstore Stage. Now, to find that top hat and cane….Picture 3

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24. A New Picture Book to Illustrate!


Isn't it funny how everything always happens at once? Anderson Press have just asked if I would like to illustrate a new text. Hurrah!

It should be good fun as there's lots of drama in the story. It's quite dark and scary in places, which appeals to me, but there's also plenty of potential for humour and wonderful characterisation.

The author is Julia Jarman, who I've illustrated for several times, on projects with Orchard and Hodder, most recently for Class Three All At Sea. I've never worked with Anderson Press before, but they obviously like what Julia and I have done in the past, and that's why they will have thought of me - thanks Julia!

Julia and I make a good team, as we think alike. We are both really into promotional work too, which means we're always bumping into one another at festivals (believe it or not, there are some authors you never get to meet). Sometimes we even perform together, and will be presenting Class Three All At Sea together at Edinburgh this summer (more details later).


This new book is an ASAP project: Anderson Press want me to get it all finished in time for the Frankfurt Book Fair in October (see Dragon-Proof!), which means I'll be getting going on the roughs almost straight away. So, for the time being, everything else is on the back burner.

7 Comments on A New Picture Book to Illustrate!, last added: 5/17/2009
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25. Tales from Bologna

Truck Stuck, Italian Style.

You never know when life will imitate a children's book.

There I was, on vacation in the beautiful Tuscan countryside, resting up after the vigors of the Bologna Children's Book Fair. My traveling companion and I had just picked up our rental car, a Fiat 500, in Florence and were heading south through Chianti country. My Frommer's guidebook mentioned that there was a lovely castle and winery outside of Greve in Chianti, so when we saw the sign for Castello di Verrazzano, we hooked a right and zipped straight up the side of a mountain into wine paradise. We drove into the estate past a large tractor-trailer that was preparing to leave, the only thought in our minds being how many wines we could sample before safely navigating the precipitous road back down to the valley.

Inside the tasting/dining room, a brick-oven fire glowed seductively, and we sampled three lovely wines, accompanied by the most delicious bruschetta ever (just olive oil and salt, but wow). We chatted a bit with the wine guy, bought a bottle of Chianti Classico Reserva, and headed back to the car.

We were greeted by the sight of the tractor-trailer, now jack-knifed and blocking the exit of the parking lot. Its cargo bed, containing about 700 cases of wine headed for the US, was twisted precariously and crushing the cab. All the guests were stuck at the winery until the Italian firefighters arrived to address the situation.

Resigned to our horrible fate, we returned to the tasting room and drowned our sorrows in free wine and cheese. Eventually (the Italians have a very different sense of time than we Americans), the firefighters arrived and attempted to crane the truck's cargo back to equilibrium. Alas, it was to no avail. Next came the forklift attempts to unload some of the heavy pallets, which only resulted in the truck tipping even further in the wrong direction.

Now you would think that with wine in abundance and vehicular entertainment on display (never mind the cute Italian firefighters), that the time would have passed pleasantly. And that was indeed the case . . . for the first five hours. When it became clear that the entire truck would need to be unloaded, by hand no less, before any of us could leave our vinous prison, a certain restlessness set in along with the alcoholic sedation. Though the truck's release seemed imminent, the winery staff sensed our unease and quickly offered us a choice: two free bottles of wine each, or a free dinner. The other American guests took the wine and left, shackled to their schedules and itineraries, but I was raised never to turn down a free meal, especially in a country known for its gastronomic prowess. What followed was a seven-course meal, replete with wine parings. Not to bore you, my dear reader, but take a gander at this:

ANTIPASTO
Mixed plate of salami and other cured meats, paired with the 2006 Vino Rosso

PRIMO
Pasta pappardelle with wild boar sauce, paired with the 2006 Chianti Classico





SECONDO
Roasted pheasant and potatoes, paired with the 2005 Chianti Classico Riserva

CARNE
Steak Fiorentina and mixed-green salad, paired with the 2005 Sassello (a supertuscan)

FORMAGGIO
Pecorino and parmesano reggiano with balsamic vinegar and hot pepper jelly

DOLCI
Apple torte, paired with vin santo, a desert wine

CAFFE
Espresso and cantucci (like biscotti), paired with grappa

After a meal like that, driving was out of the question, so we threw ourselves on the mercy of our hosts and rented a room in a farmhouse down the mountain. As we wobbled and rolled out the door, I thought to myself, maybe I should have told them to let the air out of the tires on the left side of the truck and we could have avoided all this unpleasantness.

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Yolanda is the editor of Truck Stuck (written by Sallie Wolf; illustrated by Andy Robert Davies), in which two children help a truck get unstuck by letting the air out of the tires.

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