REI and International Reading Association Visits in Chicago

Here I am in a tent at the REI in Chicago reading my book, S IS FOR S'MORES: A CAMPING ALPHABET, to some young campers. How fun is that?! Thanks to Claire for organizing this event.

I was in Chicago to attend the International Reading Association where I participated in a session with writers Larry Dane Brimner, Juanita Havill, and Joan Sandin. Our Topic: How Research Intensifies Reading: Authors and Illustrators Talk About the Importance of Research in Putting Flesh on the Bare Bones of Fact. And, it was my pleasure to sign books at the Sleeping Bear Press booth.

See you at ALA in San Diego on January 7-12, 2011. More details later!

Way to Go Larry!

A big shout of congratulations to my friend, Larry Dane Brimner. His book, WE ARE ONE: THE STORY OF BAYARD RUSTIN, has been selected as the 2008 Jane Addams Book Award and the 2008 Norman A. Sugarman Award for Biography. Way to go Larry!

The Sugarman Award is given biennially by the Cleveland Public Library to honor excellence in the field of biography for children. You can learn more about the award at the Cleveland Public Library’s website, www.cpl.org.

The Jane Addams Children’s Book Awards “are given annually to the children’s books published the preceding year that effectively promote the cause of peace, social justice, world community, and the equality of the sexes and all races as well as meeting conventional standards for excellence.”

Larry’s book introduced me to this fascinating African American leader. Visit his website at www.brimner.com to learn more about Bayard.

Kern Reading Association's Young Author's Fair

Kern Reading Association's Young Author's Fair is amazing! It was my pleasure to be part of this fabulous literacy celebration. A big thank you to the Association and YAF committee for a job well done! I visited Quailwood School, Olive Drive Elementary, Eissler School, Casa Loma School, and Wayside Elementary. The students and staffs were wonderful with insightful questions.

On Saturday I was a part of their community event. My author friend, Larry Dane Brimner, took this photo of me with Phyllis, my host at Wayside Elementary!

Hooray for books!