Bookishly Beastly

Contributors to the spooky collection of speculative fiction, Monstrous Affections: An Anthology of Beastly Tales attended the book’s launch party at Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley, Mass., on September 19. Authors (l. to r.) M.T. Anderson, G. Carl Purcell, Alice Sola Kim, Joshua Lewis, and Gavin Grant (not pictured is Cassandra Clare, also at the event), channeled the beastly spirit of their stories. The authors each read from their anthology selections and signed books for fans.

A Very Busy Day at the Eric Carle

Huck Scarry, the son of Richard Scarry, has continued his father’s legacy, introducing a new generation of children to the characters of Busy Town. After discovering an unfinished manuscript among his father’s personal effects, Huck completed the artwork for the manuscript, which was published in August. The Best Lowly Worm Book Ever! (Random) stars the eponymous earthworm. Visiting the U.S. from Austria, Huck paid a visit to the Eric Carle Museum to meet multigenerational fans, offer interactive drawing demonstrations with kids, and read from Lowly Worm’s magnum opus.

A ‘Wolfie’ in Bunny’s Clothing

Zachariah OHora (left) and Ame Dyckman rendezvoused at the kick-off of the Ninth Annual Princeton Children's Book Festival, where they shared a special cover sneak peek of their forthcoming picture book, Wolfie the Bunny (Little, Brown, Feb. 2015), about a wolf cub adopted by rabbit parents. The Festival, held on September 20, hosted 86 authors and illustrators of children’s books and featured readings, drawing demonstrations, and signings.

Teacher’s Night Out

On September 18, Mac Barnett and Tom Angleberger were two of several authors and illustrators who took part in Educator’s Night at Hicklebee’s Bookstore in San Jose, Calif. The store event is intended to provide educational resources and entertainment for San Jose-area teachers. More than 150 local educators were invited to mingle with the artists and writers, get the buzz on new children’s book releases, and win prizes. Other authors and illustrators in attendance included Mark Huntley Parsons, Wendelin Van Draanen, Katherine Applegate, Michael Grant, Pamela S. Turner, and Kathryn Otoshi.

What a Day!

September 23 was officially declared “Salina Yoon Day” by the County of San Diego, in recognition for the author-illustrator’s “outstanding service, leadership and commitment to area residents.” Yoon, seen here with her official proclamation, is the author of hundreds of children’s books, including Penguin and Pinecone (Bloomsbury) and the other titles in the Penguin series.

A Colony of Fans

Joshua David Bellin celebrated the release of his debut YA novel, Survival Colony 9 (S&S/McElderry) at Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, Pa. Bellin gave a short reading and spoke with the more than 75 fans in attendance, who also were treated to a birthday book cake crafted for the occasion, as well as Survival Colony 9 swag and prizes.