Wild at Heart
During their Fierce Reads book tour in June, authors (from l.) Ava Dellaira (Love Letters to the Dead, FSG), Leigh Bardugo (Ruin and Rising, Holt), Emmy Laybourne (the Monument 14 series, Feiwel and Friends), and Jennifer Mathieu (The Truth About Alice, Roaring Brook) struck a pose around the ursine sculpture outside the Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, Minn. The authors drew a large, multigenerational crowd, ranging in ages from 10 to 90 years old; all were invited to strike fierce poses of their own inside a photo booth at the event.
A Fond Farewell
John Mason, director of library and educational marketing at Scholastic, celebrated his retirement with friends and colleagues during a June 25 party at Scholastic Headquarters. Several children's book artists, among them Norman Bridwell, Brian Selznick, Diane Dillon, and David Shannon, sent illustrated tributes. Here, Mason (center) is flanked by Scholastic CEO Dick Robinson and president of Scholastic’s trade division Ellie Berger. Mason worked at Scholastic for 28 years and spent 43 years in the publishing industry. His last day will be July 3.
Friends in High Places
Ben Mezrich celebrated the release of his first middle-grade novel, Bringing Down the Mouse (S&S), at the Colonnade Hotel’s rooftop in Boston, Mass., on June 24. The well-attended event brought together an eclectic crowd, including, from l.: Red Sox owner John Henry, film director Luke Greenfield, Mezrich, and CEO and founder of Karmaloop streetwear Greg Selkoe.
