This week, a former First Daughter signs copies of her new book; an author takes a stand against bullying; a book launch party has rhythm; an author starts his book tour off on a high note; readers celebrate a polka-dotted elephant’s second outing; and an author visit features a penguin-centered art project.

Chelsea Evening

Former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton signed copies of It’s Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going! (Philomel) on September 24 at Politics & Prose in Washington, D.C. The book encourages young readers to become actively involved in making positive change in their communities and in the world. Clinton is currently on a nationwide tour for the book, with upcoming stops in the south, in the Midwest, and on the West Coast.

Digging It

Actor and author Taye Diggs posed with his new picture book, Mixed Me! (Feiwel and Friends) atop the Empire State Building on October 5. He visited the NYC landmark to light the tower lights blue in recognition of Stamp Out Bullying's annual Blue Shirt Day, or World Day of Bullying Prevention.

Hanging with the Band

The launch party for Andrea Davis Pinkney’s Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip Through the Motown Sound (Roaring Brook) was held at Greenlight Books in Brooklyn on October 2. The event featured musical performances of Motown songs by the Tee Tones, an a cappella singing group, seen here with Pinkney.

Living It Up

Patrick Ness was joined by emcee Libba Bray, at the launch for his novel The Rest of Us Just Live Here (HarperTeen) on October 6. The event, which kicked off Ness’s U.S. tour, took place at Books of Wonder and drew a crowd of 60–70 fans prepared with questions for Ness.

All in the Family

Mike Curato celebrated the release of Little Elliot, Big Family (Holt), the sequel to Little Elliot, Big City, at Books of Wonder on October 4. The event drew an SRO crowd; guests were treated to cupcakes and macaroni and cheese after the presentation, which included a reading, a live drawing, and a discussion about different ways to define family.

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane... It’s a Penguin!

Salina Yoon shared Penguin’s Big Adventure (Bloomsbury), the latest in her long-running series, with a group of children at the bookstore Women and Children First in Chicago on September 26. Yoon led a collaborative drawing activity with the group, asking each attendee to draw an oval, which Yoon would then turn into a penguin.