This week, Lisa Freeman celebrates her book release with Jamie Lee Curtis; Marley Dias is honored for her activism; it’s a draw for touring authors Sergio Ruzzier, Brendan Wenzel, and Rowboat Watkins; Rita Williams-Garcia reads from her new novel; a baby unicorn visits a book fest; and Lonely Planet Kids pairs with a motoring family.
A Star-Studded Launch for a Cause
Author Lisa Freeman (l.) celebrated the publication of her latest novel in the Honey Girl series, Riptide Summer (Sky Pony) with an event at Patrick’s Roadhouse in Santa Monica, Calif., on May 15. The historic eatery also serves as a local haunt for characters in Freeman’s book. Joining Freeman in the booths was actress, friend, and fellow writer Jamie Lee Curtis. The event raised money for The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization devoted to LGBTQ suicide prevention.
Yes She Can!
Marley Dias, the 12-year-old activist who spearheads the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign and book drive, was honored at the New York Women’s Foundation 30th Annual Celebrating Women Breakfast on May 11. Valerie Jarrett, former senior advisor to President Obama, presented the award to Dias, whose first book, Marley Dias Gets It Done (And So Can You!), comes out next year from Scholastic.
Tenacious Trio
Chronicle author-illustrators (from l.) Sergio Ruzzier (This is Not a Picture Book!), Brendan Wenzel (They All Saw a Cat), and Rowboat Watkins (Pete with No Pants), took a week-long joint tour called “Elephants, Cats, and Ducks, Oh My!” The three, who are neighbors in Brooklyn, kicked off their tour on April 30 at The Curious Reader in Glen Rock, N.J., offering a lively drawing demonstration for attendees.
Well Read
Author Rita Williams-Garcia read from several of her novels, including her latest, Clayton Byrd Goes Underground (Amistad), at Word Bookstore in Jersey City, N.J., on May 6. In keeping with the book’s musical themes, Williams-Garcia’s husband Fred provided accompaniment on guitar.
A Real Page Turner
The second annual Turn the Page! Children’s Book Festival took place at Children’s Fairyland, a storybook theme park in Oakland, Calif., on May 6. Twenty-five local authors and illustrators attended the event, with several presenting interactive readings on the Emerald City Stage. Here, a young unicorn and her mother take in the scene.
Art in the Park
Lonely Planet Kids recently partnered with The Art Pantry, a blog that supports travel, homeschooling, and art, run by Megan and Aaron Schiller and their two children. The blog recounts their experiences traveling across the country in an Airstream trailer and holding art workshops in parks and other community spaces. Lonely Planet Kids sponsors their adventures and supplies books to give away at each of their events. Here, Austin-area residents show off their masterpieces after a workshop. Seated on the left is Megan Schiller with one of her daughters.
