This week, journalist Linsey Davis reads from her new picture book; Allison Gutknecht gets “in tune” with her readers; author Tracey Hecht celebrates a new venture for her Nocturnals series; Mahogany L. Browne talks about black girl magic; and students celebrate Multicultural Children’s Book Day.
A Good Morning Reading
ABC news correspondent Linsey Davis celebrated the release of her picture book, The World Is Awake: A Celebration of Everyday Blessings (Zonderkidz) on February 6. Davis read from the book, which is co-written by Joseph Bottum and illustrated by Lucy Fleming, on the set of Good Morning America. Seated on Davis’s lap is her son Ayden, who she counts as her inspiration for the book.
If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out
A launch for Allison Gutknecht’s novel, Sing Like Nobody’s Listening, was held at Barnes & Noble Bensalem, Pa., on January 20. Hundreds of attendees came to meet Gutknecht and hear her discuss her book, about a character who is inspired by an American Idol-style vocal competition to start an a cappella group at her middle school. (From l.): Lainey Palmer, Julia Nachsin, Allison Gutknecht, Talia Morrison, and Addison Pedrini.
Oh, What a Night!
Fabled Films, children’s media company and publisher of Tracey Hecht’s Nocturnals series, has kicked off a partnership with the hotel brand Wyndham Grand and Food Network chef Duff Goldman, for a program for hotel guests called Reconnected, a Family Experience. The program encourages families to spend time together unplugged. Participants receive a copy of the first book in the Nocturnals series, The Mysterious Abductions, and also take part in activities based around the Nocturnals. During a February 6 launch held at the Manhattan event space, Gary’s Loft, guests sampled hot cocoa and other treats, played in designer blanket forts, and listened to Hecht read from The Mysterious Abductions. Here, Hecht greets a guest.
It’s Magic!
Writer, editor and TV host Ashley C. Ford (l.), spoke to poet and Brooklyn Poetry Slam co-founder Mahogany L. Browne at BRIC House in Brooklyn on January 25. The event celebrated the release of Browne’s picture book, Black Girl Magic (Roaring Brook), which is illustrated by Jess X. Snow.
About Face
The first-grade class at Inman Elementary School in Fayetteville, Ga., celebrated the fifth annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day by reading a selection of diverse picture books on January 27. Founded by bloggers Mia Wenjen at PragmaticMom and Valarie Budayr at Jump into a Book, MCBD strives to get diverse stories into the hands of children and families nationwide.
