Book Festivals - I love them! Not only do you get to meet great kids who are excited about reading, parents who are excited about kids reading, you also get to visit with lots of great authors and illustrators.
Yesterday I was part of Cape Elizabeth, ME, Book festival - their first and they did a great job! Over 30 exhibitors and a wonderful flow of people all day. Makes the heart sing!
Here are a few pics of the day ...
A young fan in disguise with All Star Cheerleaders.
The Big Apple tells all.
Scott Nash and Stephen Costanza, duelling illustrators.
At the ready ...
Toodles!
Hazel
By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: March 14, 2012
March to the Beat of Your Own Drum
It’s Music in our Schools Month and these recent titles on music (and` loneliness, getting lost, Vivaldi, and being a big sister) and so much more will make you want to groove, rock n’ roll, waltz, and bang your head. So swing to the rhythms, bounce to the beat, sway to the poetic meter, and drift away with these soulful stories.
By Amy Martin
In Amy Martin’s bold debut, a little girl becomes lost in the big city and follows street musicians until she finds her way home. Her hypnotic illustrations will pull young readers into the story where “the best songs love you back.” If Martin’s Symphony City is any indication, McMullens, the new children’s imprint from McSweeney’s, promises dazzling hits that just keep on coming. (Ages 3 and up. Publisher: McSweeney’s Publishing.)
By Audrey Vernick; Illustrated by Kirstie Edmonds
Ever dream of rocking out on stage in front of a coliseum full of fans chanting your name? Then Vernick’s new book So You Want To Be A Rock Star will send your little ones into fits of laughter as you shout, “Are you ready to rock?” Tips on posturing, strutting on stage, and signing your autograph in a haughty squiggle will put stars in their eyes. My daughter’s reading inspired her to create a rock video with a friend. For more on Audrey Vernick, check out my interview with her. (Ages 4-8. Publisher: Walker & Company.)
By Stephen Costanza
As with his previous book Mozart Finds a Melody, Stephen Costanza celebrates another great composer and creates a compelling backstory to bring his tale to life. Candida is Antonio Vivaldi’s young assistant who copies his musical notations for the Invisible Orchestra- a group of orphan musicians who mysteriously perform behind the curtain. When Vival
This weekend I was privileged to visit Ashley Bryan's house and studio on Cranberry Island, Maine.
How it came about is as follows ...
Back at the summer SCBWI conference in 2010, in LA, Ashley received the Golden Kite for his book '
Words to my Life's Song'. (Which I recommend you read if you haven't already). I was lucky enough to sit next to him during a keynote session and we had a good chat. I told him I lived in Maine and he invited me to his house on Cranberry Island to visit.
When I got home I printed out a photo of Ashley at the conference in LA during his keynote closing session - I stuck it next to my computer screen and I see it daily and hear his voice
'COURAGE!'Then, earlier this summer, I met author/illustrator Stephen Costanza at a book signing and found that Ashley had been one of his early mentors. Although they had met many times, Steve had never visited Ashley ... so we decided it was time! Steve called Ashley and arranged the visit. On a blustery, grey day, we set off for Acadia State Park to catch the ferry to Cranberry Island.
Here we are - 2 very excited creators!
I say 'ferry' but in actuality it was just a little mail boat. Luckily neither of us suffer from sea sickness! The waves tossed the boat around mercilessly. It was loaded with supplies for the islanders (much beer and cider I noted), folks with dogs going about their every day business, tourists out for a breezy day and - we two looking forward to a visit of a lifetime.
The ferry called at a couple of little stops on the way. We scrambled ashore at our stop and hopped up on the dockside. Waiting for us was a lovely lady called Suzy ready to take us the short drive to Ashley's house. Suzy is quite a character and apart from helping Ashley with many administrative jobs and picking up his visitors, she creates wonderful soft bear sculptures and runs the island shop
Love this, Hazel! Thanks for sharing!
Such fun! I can't wait to attend my first book festival. And you look wonderful, Hazel!
You will enjoy them! And thanks Tara!
Thanks Sarah!
That looks like it was a lot of fun. Hopefully I can get myself out there to be a part of something like that.
Thanks for such wonderful post about book festivals....
books event are always full of fun
Thanks Shamara ... it was!
You are welcome!
Yes they are!