This week, Kwame Alexander takes to Instagram; Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell Zoom into the digital space for their book tour; Brad Meltzer’s virtual storytime soars; Maribeth Boelts sows compassion for bees; David Hyde Costello plays with paper puppets; and Lowey Sichol talks entrepreneurship.
‘The Crossover’ Crosses Over into the Digital Space
Bestselling author Kwame Alexander recently began reading his Newbery Medal–winning verse novel, The Crossover (HMH), on Instagram, weekdays at 10:30 a.m. ET. More than 4,300 viewers, including teachers, students, and other fans, tuned in to Alexander’s first reading. On April 1, musician Randy Preston, a frequent tour guest of Alexander’s, also made a cameo.
Burning Love
Co-authors Jessica Brody (top c.) and Joanne Rendell (top l.) (Between Burning Worlds, Simon Pulse) launched their new novel, the second in the System Divine series, via Zoom. After showing proof of purchase, readers could digitally access the authors’ brief talk, reading, and q&a session.
High Flyin’ Storytime
Brad Meltzer recently went live on PBS KIDS’s Facebook page for a read-along of his picture book I Am Amelia Earhart (Dial), illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos, part of the Ordinary People Change the World series. More than 50,000 viewers tuned in to the noontime reading.
Bee Kind
To mark the March 10 release of Kaia and the Bees, written by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by Angela Dominguez, Candlewick commissioned seed packets to encourage readers to plant gardens for bees. Since she couldn’t distribute the materials at events, author Boelts created a promotional display outside her Cedar Falls, Iowa, home, offering the packets to those who walk by.
Palmer Puppet Pals
Last week, author-illustrator David Hyde Costello (Little Pig Saves the Ship, Charlesbridge) created the inaugural video for Palmer Public Library’s online children’s programming. The video, part one of two, revealed the process of creating a paper tabletop puppet theater; the second video, to be released, will incorporate answers from viewers. Palmer Public Library, located in Palmer, Mass., offered supplementary questions and activities in the video description.
Just Read It
Lowey Sichol (From an Idea to Nike, HMH) recently began offering weekly digital author visits, teaching kids about entrepreneurship and the origins of brands like Nike, Disney, Google, and LEGO. Each of the three episodes features supplementary clips and fun facts, and a contact form on Sichol’s website offers a collaborative aspect, as Sichol may feature questions from fans in future videos.
