Celebrating World Read Aloud Day in NYC

New York City children’s bookstore Books of Wonder hosted an all-day event yesterday to celebrate World Read Aloud Day, an initiative of the nonprofit organization LitWorld, which featured writing workshops and—of course—readings for children of all ages from authors including current and former National Ambassadors for Young People’s Literature Walter Dean Myers and Katherine Paterson, Peter Lerangis, and more. Also on hand was author/illustrator Stephen Savage (Where’s Walrus?) and Clifford the Big Red Dog, who made morning appearances at the store.

A Tight-Knit Event

On Tuesday, Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen dropped by Hicklebee’s in San Jose, Calif., to read from and discuss their recent collaboration, Extra Yarn (HarperCollins / Balzer + Bray, Jan.), a picture book about a girl with a magical, endless supply of yarn that she uses to enliven her black and white town. In preparation for the event, Hicklebee’s staffer Brett Carlson “yarn bombed” the store, wrapping everything from stools and books to a tree in knitwear. Seen here, with the results of his handiwork are (l. to r.) Carlson, Klassen, and Barnett.

Girl Scouts Gather at the Scholastic Store

This past Saturday, Girl Scouts from across New York City came out for an event at the Scholastic Store featuring author Shana Corey and her book Here Come the Girl Scouts! The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure (Scholastic Press, Jan.), a picture book biography of the founder of the Girl Scouts. Corey is seen here with one of the many scouts in attendance; also making an appearance was Margaret Seiler, grand-niece of Juliette Gordon Low. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts, and Corey’s spring book tour will take her to Savannah, Ga., Raleigh, N.C., Salisbury, Md., and Memphis, Tenn.

Book Party Squared

The release of not one but two new YA novels was the cause for celebration at a launch party held last Wednesday at downtown New York City restaurant Freemans. The books: Lauren Oliver’s Pandemonium (HarperCollins, Feb.), a sequel to her bestselling Delirium, and Kate Ellison’s debut novel The Butterfly Clues (Egmont USA, Feb.), a thriller that was developed in collaboration with Oliver’s company Paper Lantern Lit. A raffle benefited the nonprofit organization 826 NYC. Seen here, Ellison (l.) and Oliver are toasted by attendees. Photo: Emily Berl.

On the Road with John Corey Whaley

Author John Corey Whaley, hot off his Printz win for Where Things Come Back (S&S/Atheneum, 2011) was in New York City this past week. On Tuesday, he made an appearance at the New York Public Library, where he spoke about his book with students at the High School of Fashion Industries. Whaley is seen here with the NYPL’s Lindsy Serrano (seated), who helped organize the event. The novel, about a teen’s disappearance, a failed missionary’s return to the U.S., and the possible reappearance of an extinct woodpecker, will be out in paperback in July.