Meet the staff members that make the First Book magic possible!
Name: Erica Perl
Where is your hometown? Burlington, VT
What do you do at First Book? I am the Director of the First Book Marketplace and National Book Bank. Which means I handle our relationships with our publishing partners, and I oversee our book selections to best meet the needs and interests of our recipient groups.
What are you reading now? I’m reading Joseph O’Neill’s Netherland for one book group and Andrew Clements The School Story for another. I’m also trying to get through Harry Potter book six before the movie comes out!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself. I am the author of several children’s books, including Chicken Butt!, Ninety-three In My Family and Chicken Bedtime Is Really Early. My first young adult novel, Vintage Veronica, will be published in March, 2010 by Random House. My Web site is www.ericaperl.com.
I’ll be signing copies of Chicken Butt! on Monday, July 13th at 1:00 pm in the Abrams booth #2343 at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. If you’re attending the conference or live in the area, please stop by and say hello!
What have you learned by working at First Book? I was pleased to learn that my ideal job exists! At First Book, I can wear both my lawyer suit (yes, I have a law degree) and my chicken hat (yes, I actually have two of these), although not always at the same time. I am at my happiest when I am surrounded by terrific, energetic people and wonderful children’s books… which is exactly how it is at First Book. At First Book, I learn new things every day and I am thrilled to work in a place where creativity and collaboration are valued so highly.
What’s the oddest job you’ve had? I have had several odd jobs, including driving an ice cream truck and teaching dog obedience. Combining these too jobs would have been a good idea — if ice cream is involved, my dog will do whatever is asked of her!
Do you have a favorite quote or saying you live by? I’m extremely fond of my Chicken Butt! book tour slogan: “No BUTTs about it, we love to read!”
If you could have an endless supply of any food, what food would it be? I think I could survive on a desert island if there was a theater concession stand on it: I love popcorn and red licorice.
Add a Comment