This week, Judy Blume gains some inches on Kwame Alexander; YA authors discuss feminism; Brandon Mull talks dragons with middle-schoolers; Richard Jackson signs copies of his newest picture book; Candlewick staffers green up the office; and author Allison Gutknecht is pretty in pink.

By the Book

Kwame Alexander visited Books & Books in Key West, Fla., on March 18 during his national tour for The Playbook. Joining Alexander was his friend and beloved author Judy Blume, who is also a bookseller at the store, which she cofounded with her husband. Blume took advantage of the store’s stepstool to provide a little extra height.

Here We Are

Authors Kelly Jensen, E.M. Kokie, Laura Ruby, and Mikki Kendall came together for a “Feminism in YA Party Panel,” held at Read Between the Lynes in Woodstock, Ill., on March 15. The panelists all contributed to the collection Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World, edited by Jensen. They spoke about contributing to the book, their feminist role models, and what it means to be a feminist today.

On Dragon Watch

As part of his nationwide tour for Dragonwatch, the first book in a new series that takes place in the Fablehaven universe, Brandon Mull visited Stratford School in San Jose, Calif., on March 21. During the visit, he read a chapter from the book to the middle school students, and talked about writing, reading, the fantasy genre, and dragons. Each student received a copy of the new book.

All Ears, All Eyes

Richard Jackson, longtime children’s book editor and now children’s author as well, visited Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C., on March 17. At the store, Jackson signed copies of his picture book All Ears, All Eyes, illustrated by Katherine Tillotson. The book is an homage to nighttime animals.

Go Green!

St. Patrick’s Day came a few days late for Candlewick employees. They wore their green pants to the office on March 21 to celebrate the release of Kenneth Kraegel’s picture book Green Pants, about a boy who loves his green pants so much, he can’t imagine wearing anything else.

Make No Mistake

Allison Gutknecht dressed in a shade of pink worthy of a spring day at the launch party for her middle grade book, Spring Break Mistake. The party was held on March 4 at Barnes & Noble in Marlton, N.J. Gutknecht read from the book and signed copies for fans.