My Great Uncle Billy Boy would sing that song all the time. I have no idea where it came from. But I always think of it when I think of Chicago. Best info I can find on where this is from is here. Interesting.
This was the last city on BFNBT (Big Fancy National Book Tour #1 – for “My Name is Not Isabella”) and I was exhausted.
After getting settled in a hotel, it was time to visit some schools! Lucky for me, I had a “media escort” or “handler” to move me around. Extra lucky for me, it was wonder publicist Kay* who is both awesome and wonderful.
So she picked me up at the hotel and drove me off to the first school. On the way we passed:
On the walk, wonder publicist Kay* couldn’t find keys. We stopped and looked in all pockets and bags. We then realized it would either be an empty parking spot or embarrasing oversight we were heading back to. And the end result:
I had a little extra time in Boston. Lobster dinner at my other cousins house – a whole bunch of hand me downs for “the boy” – purchase of a duffel bag for said hand me downs. Good times.
Then a little more work a’visitin:
I drove myself around in the rain and found all these great indie bookstores. Lovely folks to talk books with, full stocked shelves, a few more paperback suggestions for duffel bag. (Hardest part of visiting all these store is NOT buying something in every store. I have some great finds from different parts of the country!) You can see it was rainy and dreary and that I worked late into the night (all the better to see the cool details on the outside of Baker Books and a Ginormous Harry P!)
Anyway, without further ado, I give you:
And I said good by to Boston.
Related posts:
- BFNBT #17 – Books and Books, Miami
- BFNBT#24-And on to work in Boston
- BFNBT #25- Autumn on the Cape
So I drove back through Boston (see my fancy art shot of the bridge):
I had a morning story time at a Barnes & Noble. I think it was the biggest B&N I have ever seen (and I have seen a lot of them!)
I did a few reads of “My Name is Not Isabella.” Folks with little ones kept showing up a little late. I completely get that and was glad to read again. My hope is that they will be doing lots of re-reading themselves at bedtime!
I then signed a REALLY big stack of books (almost as tall as me):
And they all got the best sticker on the outside!
And I met a lovely and talented bookseller named Rebecca (I think she teaches third grade now!) It was a nice little stop.
Related posts:
- BFBT Stop #2 – Barnes and Noble at El Cerrito (or It was a Dark and …..)
- Christmas gift idea- Isabella Paper Doll Set from Barnes & Noble
- BFNBT #16 – Lehrman Day School
After inviting myself to a delicious homecook seafood dinner with my cuz and company (see, a second mention!), I left late and drove down to Cape Cod. I had stayed late chatting and it was a slightly longer drive than I anticipated, but all worth it and I would TOTALLY do that again if ever in the Boston area (hint hint).
Anyway, I made it safely and the next morning I did a reading at Where the Sidewalk Ends
It was rainy and after labor day on Cape Cod and attendance was not that great, but it was a really cute store.
Here’s me with a pretty sign and a stack of books.
Then I had a DELICIOUS seafood Chowder at a restaurant down the street that believes in magic and even says so:
I believe too.
Then I got busy a’visitin:
I stopped by Eight Cousins
And then things got really exciting: A ferry ride in great New England Autumn weather:
Lovely Autumn weather on the Cape
To get to the Cape:
I stopped in at Bunch of Grapes (you know, the bookstore that President Obama visits on vacation).
Here is one of the coolest clocks I’ve ever seen:
After such wonderful time with The Queen (and Poppi), it was time to get back to work. My parents really love me, but had no interest in seeing me at work. Yet. So off they went and I got back down to it.
This is a sad post, as it is a stop at the Curious George Bookstore, which has since closed. It was a really cute store.
Curious George Bookstore
It was located right near HARVARD. This is the view from the parking garage. Look all acedemic, New England, autumny goodness.
Lovely view from parking garage
And I have to say, there is just something about being on/near a college campus. I feel all that energy, that potential. It is catching.
Anyway, after finding my way (that was me, the dork walking with a Garmin GPS) to the store and finding my way around the construction to get into the store.
Dream Big Sign outside of Curious George
But the best part was when this crew walked down the stairs (one had to duck!).
Curious George event with family
This is my family. Cousins. Who live about 1.5 hours away. And saw my event on my Twitter feed. And came unannounced. And made my day.
They are the kind of family that you see and no time has passed, and the conversation weaves around the past and the present and the future. Unspoken family traditions, remembered family events and unique family mannerisms just reinforce who you are and who you will always be.
Thanks guys!
Related posts:
- BFNBT #17 – Books and Books, Miami
- BFNBT #18 – Miami rest-a-bit or “cool other things I did”
- BFNBT #15 – Coral Way Bilingual K-8 Center
Next it was on to Boston and a slight hotel mix up. After I checked in and took suitcase up to room, I came back to lobby and…..
“Are you Ms. Fosberry? Well we overbooked and even though you have already gotten in to a room, we would really be happy if you could relocate free of charge to a different sister hotel. Would you mind terribly? Rooms on us?” – hey I am easy.
I finally got settled into hotel#2 and finally got to spend some time with The Queen. And my Dad. (Photos not shown, to protect the privacy and Royal image) Otherwise known as Poppi and Toots. Toots is a very Royal Name, goes back generations and is only passed on in the most secret of initiation ritual passage traditional….well you get the idea.
We ate. And talked. And talked. And ate.
They had driven down from upstate New York just to see …..ME. Baby girl. And even though my meals were covered by my wonderful publisher, Dad picked up the tab. And I let him.
Was that wrong?
Related posts:
- BFNBT #18 – Miami rest-a-bit or “cool other things I did”
We eat fast food. (Bad Mommy)
We do not have Chik Fil A on the west coast.
I must stop and say that it seemed that the food choices were pretty good….
and…
instead of a plastic toy, their kids meals came with a little BOOK! Awesome
Chik Fil A Kid's meal
I had to get one for myself. I got, “If You Give a Cat a Cupcake.” Good stuff all around.
Related posts:
- BFNBT #18 – Miami rest-a-bit or “cool other things I did”
- BFNBT#20-Book Marked at the Beach
- BFNBT #15 – Coral Way Bilingual K-8 Center
I was just recently in New Orleans for the ABA Winter Institute #7, promoting my new upcoming book – “Isabella, Girl on the Go.” Lots to tell you about that trip, but still sharing all the great stuff from tour #1. Eek, third tour starts in about a month. I better get crackin’. So remember, it is back in the fall of 2011…..I just landed in the Jacksonville, Florida airport…..
Next it was out to The Book Mark.
um...this was the address on my schedule
Talk at the Book Mark
With Rona at the Book Mark
Beach Time
It’s a rough job, but someone’s got to do it.
Related posts:
- BFNBT #18 – Miami rest-a-bit or “cool other things I did”
- BFNBT#19 – Jacksonville Airport
- BFNBT Stop #14 – Florida, Baby
The next stop on the tour WAS Jacksonville, Florida. What a quirky little airport. From the giant lady out shopping….
Giant Lady strolling past Jacksonville Airport
To all these delightful renditions of the female form on tile….
Women's Bathroom, in many shapes, sizes
Related posts:
- BFNBT #18 – Miami rest-a-bit or “cool other things I did”
- BFNBT Stop #14 – Florida, Baby
- BFNBT #16 – Lehrman Day School
I have got to get moving….I am still telling you all about my first BFNBT (Big Fancy National Book Tour) and I am scheduled to start my third one in February…… anyway – on with the show:
So I was actually in Miami a couple of days. And I was in a lovely hotel on the ocean. I couldn’t park my own car or eat at a free breakfast buffet (things I really enjoy in the hotels I stay at more suburb-anly). But…. Ocean!
This is what the beach looked like steps from my hotel. I took this photo on a short break between schools:
Beautiful skies
I was really busy that day. Then the next day I had some time to relax, sightsee, etc. And here’s a photo I took from the car:
Streaks of rain
Yup. Rainy. A day in paradise in the rain. But that worked out just fine. Some old friends from Costa Rica that now live in Boca Raton (okay, I think this is so outdated that they might have moved again if facebook is ….. accurate) came down and shuffled around with me. We bought some tourist stuff for the kids (I do bribe them) and banged around and then went out to eat at a Cuban restaurant. Nothing special, just some good food. Have I ever mentioned that if I could only pick one food to eat forever, I think it might be Cuban. The restaurant had some pretty interesting art work on the walls.
Happy Village Scene
That old lady don’t look too happy.
But I have to say, this part of the menu tickled me…. look at the bread pudding.
Diplomatic Bread Pudding
You can get Diplomatic Bread Pudding for the SAME PRICE as the regular! Made me wonder, what exactly is Diplomatic Bread Pudding.
So, with the internet being what it is – I think I have the answer. Canned fruit cocktail was added. It’s talked about here.
Also took a photo of this rooster outside a bodega. Love it and the artwork on the sign.
Cool looking store
So
So Barnes & Noble made some paper dolls for Isabella. I think they retail around $12 and are ….well kind a cute.
Here’s a photo of my set (which when left unattended at the dining room table were played with by my kids for about 40 minutes with nary a word from me):
Isabella all set up and ready to play
And Christmas is coming. Just saying….
Isabella Doll Set
Related posts:
- BFBT Stop #2 – Barnes and Noble at El Cerrito (or It was a Dark and …..)
- Scholastic version of My Name is Not Isabella
- Halloween – Imagination meets Craft and Humor
So while I was in Miami on my first Big Fancy National Book Tour, back in September 2010 (can’t believe that was more than a year ago!) I went to a couple of wonderful schools. Then I went to the wonderful book store that was hosting me. I had a late evening event at the Books and Books at the Bal Harbour store.
Now going in I was a little nervous. This is a fancy mall, fancy store, late night event for a children’s book in the rain….
But I should NEVER have worried. What a wonderful place. First, I met Debra at Books and Books. She was so nice, I could have talked her ear off for hours. Here she is kidding around out front with me…
Books and Books with Debra
But there was work to be done. It was an evening event with Arts for Learning. And Debra’s mother = teacher of teachers. And she “encouraged” her students to come to the event.
Books and Books event with Arts for Learning
This equaled a big room of teachers. I had spoken to a room full of teacher types back at Hicklebees, but I got five minutes. So I was a little nervous as I bobbed and weaved together different material to talk about how the book came to be, how I use it, and why I am just ultra cool. Luckily, they had a good time. I had a legitimate line of folks waiting for signatures. I felt like a rock star!
Oh, and Alexander hand sold a book to a walk-in while I was talking.
Then, after all the customers left, I still had books to sign for the school visits.
Holy Books Batman!
It was a great time and I left feeling very, very loved.
Related posts:
- BFNBT #15 – Coral Way Bilingual K-8 Center
- BFNBT Stop #14 – Florida, Baby
- BFNBT #16 – Lehrman Day School
Time Machine has us back in Miami, next stop is Lehrman Community Day School.
Author visit to Lehrman Schoo
I signed in to the school and was introduced to the school director, Ms. Bruce. She was lovely and she took me to the cafeteria/auditorium. What I particularly liked is that Ms. Bruce assigned/allowed a student to introduce me. It was very nicely done.
We had a lovely time and I did the flags again.
School visit with flags presentation
After the presentation, I was given a lovely gift. This little guy named Dobi (he came with a book, can’t find it at this time, but the bear is one of Babycakes favorites.
My friend Dobi
And I also got some literature on the school:
Lehrman Brochure
So I can see why this school like “My Name is Not Isabella” so much. It was right up their alley!
My favorite part – “We raise heroes!”
Related posts:
- BFNBT #15 – Coral Way Bilingual K-8 Center
- BFNBT Stop #14 – Florida, Baby
- BFBT #6 – More LA at Alto Loma Elementary School (In which I spend HOURS to make a video clip – YOU WILL WATCH IT!)
I went to a great college, SUNY Geneseo. There were many clubs, groups, activities, etc. But there was not an A Cappella scene.
Luckily, I did a summer research program at UVA (University of Virginia). Lucky, because it helped me decide NOT to do a Doctorate program in Physics. Good move on my part as far as overall job satisfaction and happiness. BUT also lucky because a friend in the program was from UVA and belonged to a wonderful A cappella group on campus. I still have the CD for the Hullabahoos that season. And have some bootlegged live 1990’s performances of other groups (like the Sil’ Hooettes and the Virginia Gentlemen) on cassette tape somewhere.
AND NOW – the whole country to get into A Cappella with the NBC show The Sing-Off.
I have DVR’d it and am enjoying catching up, so no spoiler alerts, please. I just finished watching week 6.
I am amazed at the Pentatonix young kids arrangements. This was awesome:
And this made me cry:
Rochester wasn’t that far from Geneseo, too bad that all this A Capella goodness was so close and I never saw it.
Related posts:
- What I am….in love with Will.i.am
- Trying to get the Gang back together – I love me some Muppets
Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. A chance to pretend to be someone else – hmm…. sound familiar?
Anyway, my kids picked well this year, I had a Mad Hatter (she doesn’t want to share…), a Ninja and a Pirate.
My little Ninja Boy
Ahoy Matey
I embarrassed them by taking them to school in my own costume
Jen is Pretty Fly for a .....
We didn’t do much decorating around our house:
Pretty Dead around here....
But our good friend invited us to a little pre-trick or treat gathering and they pulled some crafty deco’s -from stuff around the house. Totally cool.
Spider at the Door
Creepy Spider
Rats in the ducts
Stop #1: Coral Way Bilingual Center
I arrived (arrived – past tense, remember, time machine) bright and early at this wonderful school. Parking was a challenge, they seemed very strict about the “staff only” parking. After two times around the block looking for street parking, I gave up and parked in the lot. I asked some staff walking in if it was okay and after I introduced myself, they guided me to the Vice Principal’s space. Luckily, the Vice Principal was going to be out that day. Or so they told me.
I went inside and met my lovely host, Cristina. School was just starting and the office was crazy. From experience, this is true in 122% of schools. I was way too nervous to try any of my Spanish, but boy was I itching to try. But I didn’t (they would have laughed for sure at my lovely Gringa accent). After things settled down, I was taken to the cafetorium (for those of you that don’t know, this is a large “Multi-purpose-room” that serves as cafeteria, gymnasium, and auditorium. Truly a money saving concept, but it doesn’t sound like an appetizing place for a meal. But there was a stage, a microphone and a room full of first and second grade children, so I was all set.
My lovely host, Cristina agreed to take photos of the performance.
Here’s a great shot of me talking to some front row kids as we waited to get started.
Great angle!
Then we got going, and they were an engaged, attentive, involved, impressive and a lot of other wonderful vowel-letter adjectives audience. Here they are after I asked a question.
Attentive students at presentation
And then I didn’t have enough hands to hold microphone and read the book – so I asked for a volunteer microphone stand:
Human Microphone Stand
Then we got to the “Vana White” section of the talk. This is where I walk across the stage and show everyone the beautiful art in “My Name is Not Isabella.”
school visit the vanna stage
We finished the performance with volunteers to hold
“The Adjective Flags:”
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