I’m in the middle of a hectic stretch that has me running around.
On Saturday, I was invited to visit Giffen Memorial Elementary in downtown Albany for their 2nd Annual “Author/Illustrator Day.” It turned out to be a beautifully organized and attended event, sponsored by the good, kind folks at the First Presbyterian Church who have sort of adopted Giffen as their community school, as they try to positively impact its children and parents on many fronts.
It was an honor for me to be a part of it, along with Rose Kent, Myles & Sandra Pinkney (those Pinkneys pop up everywhere, like mushrooms after a rain storm), and Joseph Bruchac.
Probably not wise to play favorites, but Joe Bruchac — wow, wow, wow. He is a master storyteller and such a dignified gentleman and artist. Big respect.
I signed a lot of books, many of them purchased for the students by the folks at the First Presbyterian Church. In this case, the children came with their names written on Post-It Notes. By the end of the day, I had a stack of them and shoved it into my book bag. Look at these beautiful names!
On Sunday night, I drove to Tenefly, NJ, in preparation for a busy Monday.
I spoke with students in grade 6-8 at Demarest Middle School early in the day — great kids, terrific staff, beautiful area of NJ — then drove west on 80 to Parsippany Public Library for a truly lovely memorial event, the fifth so far, hosted by the family of Elaine Galliker, a former 2nd grade teacher who, by all reports, loved bringing books and readers together.
It was touching to be a part of something so heartfelt and community-focused. I gave a presentation to a group of adults and a few dozen young readers, and later, once again, signed a bunch of books. Special thanks to Roberta Abel for managing all the emails and small tasks that make these visits possible.
One cool thing about this library — they have a little door leading to the children’s section. Sure, there’s an ordinary big door for us taller, wide-bodied types. But there’s also a magical door for the wee folk. From what I saw and heard, the kids love it.
Tomorrow morning, I am taking a 6:00 AM flight to San Antonio, Texas for the TLA Conference. I have a late dinner date with a gaggle of teachers and librarians — as well as a few fellow authors and publishing types. Should be fun, not to mention filling. On Thursday, I’m participating in an afternoon panel discussion: “The Graveyard Shift: Programming Around Mysterious and Scary Books.” When that’s done, I’ll be racing off to the airport again.
Should be home by midnight, Thursday, tired and grateful and inspired to write.
Whew.
This is a warning, folks. On June 30th at 7:00 PM a rugged band of children’s and YA authors will be gathering at the Barnes & Noble bookstore at Colonie Center in Colonie, NY.
That’s right, it’s time for the Summer Reading Kickoff Bookfair Spectacular . . . celebrating (wait for it) the Dolly Parton Imagination Library! Because when it comes to Dolly, the first two things anyone thinks of are reading and, erm, I forget the second thing.
So, hey, let’s put the focus on reading this summer. Bring your young readers to pick up their free Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Journal to earn a FREE BOOK and the chance to WIN A NOOK COLOR. Authors will be standing by — sitting, hopefully, on cushy chairs, under a tasteful arrangement of palm fronds — happy to autograph books. Any books.
Check out this list of authors I think will be there . . .
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Julia DeVillers * Aimee Ferris * Rose Kent * Jackie Morse Kessler
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Sarah Darer Littman * Eric Luper * James Preller * Jennifer Roy
Rocky Road
“Ice cream warms the heart, no matter what the weather.”
Story: That's the Dobson family motto. When things get tough, they break out the ice cream. The road has been especially rocky lately for Tess and her deaf little brother, Jordan. Then Ma abruptly moves the family from Texas to snowy Schenectady, NY, where she uses the last of their savings to open an ice cream shop in the dead of winter. How will they ever survive?
This moving story of family and community proves that, with a little help from family and friends, life can be sweet —and a little nutty—just like Rocky Road.
Story behind the story: Author Rose Kent shares this with us: "Did you know that rocky road ice cream was created during the Great Depression just so folks would have something to smile about?
Rocky road is Tess Dobson’s favorite ice cream. It also describes what life has served up, between her family’s money troubles and Ma’s mood illness that leaves her in bed for days. Then Ma uproots the family to snowy upstate NY, to buy an ice cream shop with the last of their savings. How will they survive?
Why did I set the book in Schenectady, NY? Because I've learned through travels and reader emails that, while New York City is famous and vividly imagined, even by those who have never been, the same can't be said about other parts of New York State. Schenectady is a vintage old city and I thought many kids might appreciate learning its history. I also thought they might have their own version of a vintage old city nearby that they could relate to.
Why ice cream? I can recall the many times my family visited an ice cream shop to celebrate or commiserate an event. When my son hit the home run. When my daughter didn't get the part in the play. When someone got potty trained. That sort of thing. Like the Dobson family motto in ROCKY ROAD, I tru
