This week, a beloved children’s book author is honored on the eve of a big birthday; an author goes on a signing frenzy while in good company; a publishing crew pulls off some office hijinks; it’s party time for a debut author; and friendships blossom at a teen book convention.
A Grand Celebration
Author Beverly Cleary turns 100 years old on April 12. To honor the soon-to-be-centenarian, authors and performers gathered at Symphony Space in Manhattan on Sunday, April 3, to read sections from her novels and celebrate such enduring characters as Ramona Quimby and a motorcycle-riding mouse named Ralph. The guest speakers were (front row, from l.) Tony DiTerlizzi, Jeff Kinney, and R.J. Palacio. Back row from l.: Michael Urie, Rebecca Naomi Jones, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka. The event was hosted by Krosoczka, who also created live drawings based on the readings from Quimby’s books, which were projected onto a screen. Here, the guest speakers sing a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" for Cleary.
In the (Ware) House!
Sherman Alexie signed more than 2,200 copies of his debut picture book, Thunder Boy Jr., illustrated by Yuyi Morales, at the Hachette Book Group warehouse in Lebanon, Ind., on April 2. Here, Alexie is pictured with warehouse staff who assisted with the signing. Front row: Carolyn Lamb and Trina Wiley, and back row: John Wilson, Sherman Alexie, and Nicole Smith.
Mischief Makers
On April Fool’s Day, the Sourcebooks Fire team celebrated the release of Kurt Dinan’s Don’t Get Caught by pulling pranks on their unsuspecting coworkers. The book features a group of pranksters called Chaos Club and in the spirit of making mischief, staffers filled national sales manager Heidi Weiland’s office with party balloons.
Let Them Eat Cake!
Just like her cat character Georgie in her debut picture book, Where’s the Party?, Ruth Chan loves parties… and cake. Chan and fans celebrated the book’s release at Books of Wonder in Manhattan on April 3; Chan showed her young audience a slide show detailing the process of creating her book, before a cake featuring an image of the book’s cover was served.
Fast Friends!
Houston Teen Con was held at Alief Taylor High School on April 2. The day was filled with author discussions, book signings, and the opportunity for fans to meet some of their favorite writers. Gena Showalter (l.), author of The White Rabbit Chronicles (Harlequin Teen) and Kathy Parks, author of The Lifeboat Clique (HarperCollins/Tegen) were on a panel together called “Give Me a Break (From Reality),” along with Michael Buckley and Shaun David Hutchinson.
