I Got You, Babe

Matt Tavares (l.), author of the picture book biography Becoming Babe Ruth (Candlewick), did not have the benefit of meeting his subject in person. But on August 4 he got together with Julia Ruth Stevens (r.) – the baseball legend’s daughter, age 97 – in Ogunquit, Maine, where Tavares lives and where the Ruth family visits each summer. The two were also joined by Babe Ruth’s great-grandson Brent, who previously had interviewed Tavares about the book for his [Web site] Baberuthcentral.com, which is devoted to all things Babe.

‘Creatures’ Featured

Author Michael Hearst (l.) gave a multimedia performance based on the animals profiled in his book Unusual Creatures (Chronicle) at The Booksmith in San Francisco. During the event, Hearst revealed that he’s not only an author and animal lover, but an accomplished musician as well – in fact, he has released an album of instrumental songs inspired by his unusual subjects. While video footage of animals like the blue-footed booby, Jesus Christ lizard, and blobfish played, Hearst serenaded the audience of young nature enthusiasts by playing the accordion, theremin, and Stylophone. After the presentation, author and bookseller Colin Winnette (r.) shared his favorite “unusual creature” from the book– the author himself.

A Chummy Illustrator Event

Illustrator Timothy Basil Ering signed copies of Wild Boy: The Real Savage of Aveyron by Mary Losure (Candlewick), The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (Candlewick), and other books featuring his art during an event at Brewster Bookstore in Brewster, Mass. Here, the local Cape Cod artist poses with the bookstore’s staff (from l.) Savannah Hollis, Val Arroyo, Ering, Jane Mackenzie, Jean Mackenzie, and John Landon. Not pictured are Ering’s two enthusiastic sons, Finn and Sawyer, who reportedly handed out bear hugs and high fives throughout the signing.

‘Gate’-d Community

Debut author Amy Christine Parker’s YA novel Gated (Random House) was released on August 6 to great fanfare close to home – actually, in her home. Parker’s husband and two daughters donned Gated t-shirts and toted balloons. “I’m pretty proud of them,” Parker said. “They’re so supportive!” The Florida resident will be making several appearances throughout the fall, beginning with an September 14 launch at Inkwood Books in Tampa; her blog tour is already in full swing.