Cambridge Science Festival

On May 3, children's book authors who write about science gathered for a full day's worth of presentations at the Cambridge Public Library in Massachusetts. L to r: CLN member Loree Griffin Burns, Leslie Bulion, Susan E. Goodman, Houghton Mifflin Associate Editor Erica Zappy, Jeannine Atkins, CLN member Melissa Stewart, John Himmelman. Not pictured: Lita Judge. Books were sold by Porter Square Books. The event was part of the Cambridge Science Festival.

(First posted on May 10, 2008)

At the most recent Texas Library Association conference in mid-April, CLN members Barbara O'Connor, Linda Sue Park, and Gennifer Choldenko had some time to catch up on news and laughter.

(First posted on April 29, 2008)

Kerry Madden, author of the Maggie Valley trilogy of books, Gentle's Holler, Louisiana's Song, and Jessie's Mountain (Viking), surrounded by the gunslingers at Ghost Town in the Sky, located in the real Maggie Valley in North Carolina.

(First posted on April 8, 2008)

Children's graphic novelist Gareth Hinds (standing, left); Candlewick Marketing Director Jennifer Roberts, Melissa Stewart (far right), CLN member and author of When Rain Falls (Peachtree), Timothy Basil Ering signing Necks Out for Adventure (Candlewick), and Sarah Brannen (back, right) signing Uncle Bobby's Wedding (Putnam).

(First posted on April 1, 2008)

(First posted on March 25, 2008)

(First posted on March 21, 2008)

Author Jill Kalz (second from left) enjoyed meeting her readers at the Red Balloon Bookshop, where she celebrated her book Farmer Cap (Picture Windows Books) with a reading and signing on Saturday, February 23rd. Joining Jill (the big kid in the glasses) was Keith Griffin, creative director for Picture Window Books.

Read more about Jill ...

(First posted on February 29, 2008)

On February 2nd, twenty-one authors and illustrators gathered at the annual Tree House Breakfast in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, to talk with educators and librarians about their work and their interests. In the front row (l to r): Lauren Stringer, Mary Casanova, Joyce Sidman, David Geisert, Cathy Clark. Middle row (l to r): Lisa Bullard, Joan M. Wolf, Anne Ylvisaker, Karen Ritz, Loretta Ellsworth, Marsha Wilson Chall, Marion Dane Bauer, Sharon Chmielarz. Back row (l to r): Lynne Jonell, Katherine Hannigan, Brian Selznick, Mike Wohnoutka, Warren Hanson, Susan Marie Swanson, John Coy, Gwenyth Swain.

(First posted on February 24, 2008)

From January 16-18, Erik Brooks spent three full days at various elementary schools in Wenatchee, WA.

Mrs. Wilson's class, in particular, at Abraham Lincoln Elementary, enjoyed Erik's debut reading of Chérie Stihler's new book, Polar Polka.

This is Erik's tenth illustrated book!

(First posted on
February 5, 2008)

Illustrator Karen Ritz, author Jane St. Anthony, and author Loretta Ellsworth sign copies of their books at the Deep Valley Book Festival where they talked with readers about their newest books. For Karen, that's Daddy's Song, written by Lesléa Newman. Jane's newest book is Grace Above All. For Loretta, it's a YA novel that took her to Monroeville, Alabama to research, In Search of Mockingbird.

(First posted Jan 21, 2008)

Author Jane St. Anthony signs copies of Grace Above All and The Summer Sherman Loved Me at Nokomis Shoe Shop in Minneapolis on Saturday, December 15, 2007. Jane really puts her heart and sole into talking with readers. Ya gotta love a Shoe Shop that supports literacy!

(First posted Jan 13, 2008)

Author John Coy standing in front of Andrew's Read poster. This member of Arlington High School's Sports and Literature program is reading his favorite book, Crackback by John Coy.

(First posted Dec 27, 2007)

(First posted Dec 16, 2007)

(First posted Dec 10, 2007)

Author and illustrator Derek Anderson celebrated his new book, Romeo and Lou Blast Off, with a packed room full of children and parents at the Red Balloon Bookshop in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Derek drew, the children cheered, and Romeo and Lou took a trip to regions unknown—to them.

(First posted Dec 2, 2007)

Taken at the NCTE Poetry Blast this last weekend (from left to right), Marilyn Singer, Joyce Sidman, Ann Sandell, and Nikki Grimes posed for a poetic photo. Other poets taking part in the Poetry Blast were Lee B. Hopkins, Janet Wong, Marilyn Nelson, Curtis Crisler, Alan Katz, John Grandits, Helen Frost, and Charles R. Smith.

(First posted Nov 20, 2007)

Lee Ann Landstrom, one of the authors of Nature's Yucky and Nature's Yucky 2, (Mountain Press, 2005 and 2007) at one of the CLN tables at the Deep Valley Book Festival on November 10th. She had hoped for more table room so she could bring live lizards, but the stuffed animals were a good conversation starter with kids who are interested in the yucky things that animals do.

(posted 16 Nov 07)

Joanne Anderson Reisberg, author of Zachary Zormer, Shape Transformer (Charlesbridge, 2006) and Norma Sommerdorf, author of Red River Girl (Holiday House, 2006), hosted a table at the Deep Valley Book Festival on November 10th.

(posted 15 Nov 07)

Vicki Palmquist and Kari Baumbach were behind the table at the Deep Valley Book Festival in Mankato, Minnesota on Saturday, November 10th. Twelve CLN member authors joined the festivities, signing books, talking with Festival goers, giving presentations, and spreading the word about good books!

(posted 12 Nov 07)

CLN member Barbara O'Connor (left) and school librarian DeeDee Schatzberg of Heritage Elementary School in Tampa, Florida. DeeDee created a "reading garden" for the school—a place where the children can go to read, with benches and trees, etc. She is an avid supporter of reading and literacy for children and strives to bring author programs into her school on a regular basis. She plants a special tree or shrub in honor of each author who visits! While the author is there, she arranges for a planting ceremony which the whole school attends, circling around the garden and watching the author plant their special plant. It's really wonderful.

Authors who have plants in the garden are: Jim Aylsworth, Tom Birdseye, Herb Packer, Laurie Byars—and now Barbara O'Connor! In fact, Barbara has THREE bushes planted in her honor. She tells us she calls them Barbara Bushes.

(posted 1 Nov 07)

CLN members gathered to celebrate Mary Casanova's new novel, The Klipfish Code, at the Red Balloon Bookshop. Wishing Mary well (and telling her how much they liked the book) are Bonnie Houck, reading specialist (left) and Mike Houck (right, middle school teacher)

(posted 1 Nov 07)

Master pumpkin carver David LaRochelle visited a local grocery store for a book signing for his book The End (Arthur A. Levine Books), illustrated by Richard Egielski. David said, "Pumpkins are always on my mind this time of the year, so naturally I had to bring one along for the signing."

Be sure to visit David's website for more pumpkin designs. Inspiration for your own creations? Enjoy your holiday!

(posted 29 Oct 07)

Erik Brooks joined 24 authors (and the occassional illustrator) at the Humbolt County Young Author's Festival Oct. 17-20, in Eureka, California. With Eureka as the central location, authors fan out to surrounding school districts, some as far as 2 hours away, and share their work with the students and teachers of Humbolt County.

Extra special for Erik was meeting Shirley Climo, the author of Monkey Business, which he illustrated, and sharing the stage with her for a school visit on Friday morning.

(posted 25 Oct 2007)

On Saturday, October 20th, author, illustrator, and storyteller Warren Hanson visited The Red Balloon Bookshop in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to read his new book, Kiki's Hats (Tristan Publishing), which he based on the true story of his neighbor, Kiki (seated to Warren's right), who has been knitting hats and giving them away for many years. Warren and Kiki talked about all the good that can be done by the gifts we give ... sometimes without knowing about the good we've done.

(posted 8 Oct 07)

On Sunday afternoon, October 14th, members of the children's literature community were treated to a Newbery Readers' Theatre with (from left to right) Joanne Cotler, Jill Santopolo, Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Paterson, and Sharon Creech.

With a readers' theatre script derived from eight of their books (including two by Karen Hesse), the delighted audience (standing-room only) at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Saint Paul, Minnesota, was spellbound. Laughing, crying, we were all reminded of the power of having books read out loud. Kathy Wurzer was the host for this dreaming (as in "Pinch me, I'm ...") episode sponsored by Red Balloon Bookshop, Minnesota Public Radio (MPR), HarperCollins and Candlewick Press.

(posted 15 Oct 2007)

At CLN's recent Conversation with Linda Sue Park, twenty-five people gathered for an hour's conversation, followed by dinner at small tables—a great time for networking. In this photo, you'll find CLN members (clockwise from right): Linda Sue Park, Rachel Moore, Pat Schmatz, Gretchen Sparks, Louise Stokes, Gwyneth Swain, Laura Purdie Salas, Ann Quiring, Tunie Munson-Benson, Barb Chicos, and Kari Baumbach ... and an empty chair (how come no one ever wants to sit next to the guest?)

(posted 8 Oct 07)

Known as "the Log Cabin Library in the North Woods," the Forest Lodge Library is run jointly by the Cable and Namakagon communities in northwestern Wisconsin. There's a sign on the door that reads "Free People Read Freely." Founded in 1925 by Mary Livingston Griggs, the library has not moved since that year and still has many of the original library fixtures: shelving from split logs, a large reading table, and the librarian's desk. With a large stone fireplace, it has been the location of many community meetings. Today, through the efforts of citizens who love this library, the building has a fully automated circulation and interlibrary loan system, high-speed WI-FI internet access, a children's reading and activity area, and collections for all ages and interests. Stop by when you're in the neighborhood. It's in downtown Cable, Wisconsin, in the midst of some of the loveliest land on earth.The library staff is very friendly, always greeting patrons and visitors with a big smile ...

(posted 8 Oct 07)

Bev Bauer, owner of Redbery Books in Cable, Wisconsin, and CLN member, was one of the hosts of the Northwestern Wisconsin Children's Literature Conference on September 27-28, 2007. She welcomed librarians, teachers, and authors to two days of learning, networking, and discoveries. Look for next year's conference and join the experience at this festival in the midst of fall colors. Bookmark the Telemark Education Foundation for more information ...

(posted 5 Oct 07)

Steve Palmquist, CLN co-founder, visits with Ron Dungey about his display, "Science Made Easy," at the Northwestern Wisconsin Children's Literature Festival, held September 27-28, 2007, at Telemark near Cable, Wisconsin. Joan M. Dungey has prepared a plethora of teaching guides using children's literature that will invigorate science lessons. The conference is sponsored by Telemark Education Foundation and Redbery Books. Steve and Vicki Palmquist of CLN gave a presentation on science fiction books.

(posted 3 Oct 07)

Author and historian Norma Sommerdorf signed copies of Red River Girl at the Northwestern Wisconsin Children's Literature Conference on Thursday, September 27th. She had information for readers about the research she did on this story of early settlers in the Red River Valley and their travels along the trading route to very early Saint Paul, Minnesota.

(posted 29 Sept 07)

When author John Coy travels around the world, he seeks out the most interesting places to play basketball. Here's a court in St. Petersburg, Russia. You can read about how kids in other countries play basketball in John's book Around the World, published by Lee & Low. Read more about John ...

(posted 23 Sept 07)

Author Loree Burns arrived at the Fish Tales, Tugs & Sails Book Festival in New London, Connecticut on a tugboat ... alongside a giant plastic ducky. Plastic ducks have a starring role (believe it or not) in Loree's new book, Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion. Read more about Loree and Tracking Trash.

(posted 14 Sept 07)

Is it any wonder people return to this event year after year? And we always seem to have exceptional weather on this day. The Celebration of Minnesota Children's Book Authors at the Anderson Center in Red Wing, Minnesota on Saturday, September 8th, brought out a bigger crowd than ever.

Displays seen here are Minnesota Center for the Book Arts, the Kerlan Friends, and Picture Window Books. Many teachers, librarians, and lots and lots of families enjoy this book-centered day. Join the Red Balloon Bookshop next year for another Celebration!

(posted 12 Sept 07)

At the Celebration of Minnesota Children's Book Authors at the Anderson Center in Red Wing, Minnesota on Saturday, September 8th, These authors and editors from Picture Window Books had a sweet deal. They were heralding the publication of Farmer Cap, a celebration of farming communities with a twist, written by Jill Kalz. With Jill are fellow editors Nick Healy and Christianne Jones. Those are marshmallows in that jar Jill's holding ... and that's the only clue we'll point out.

Read more about Jill and Farmer Cap.

(posted 10 Sept 07)

Author Sue Stauffacher was interviewed by Michel Martin for "Tell Me More," broadcast by NPR, about her newest book Nothing but Trouble: the Story of Althea Gibson. Teachers, this comes just in time to include in units that would include the 50th anniversary of Althea Gibson's historic victory at the USA National Tennis Championships.

(posted 26 Aug 07)

Author Julie Bowe (left) and Butterfly Books store manager Barbara Wilson on July 12th, 2007. Julie signed copies of her first book, My Last Best Friend, and conducted a Young Writers Workshop at the store in De Pere, Wisconsin.

(posted 22 Aug 2007)

Hot summers by the lake, a cabin in the woods, growing up ... all this and how an author writes a book. Jane St. Anthony spoke at the Dakota County Heritage Library in Lakeville, Minnesota, about her novels, Grace Above All and The Summer Sherman Loved Me, both from Farrar, Straus & Giroux. (photo courtesy of Martha Bisek;

posted 15 Aug 07)

As we're all sweltering, it seemed a good time for a couple of reminders: 1) free, public libraries have been important to Americans for a very long time, as evidenced by this photo of the Hamel Library in Minnesota; 2) it won't always be this hot out.

(photo courtesy of Jo Lembo; posted 8 Aug 07)

St. Bonifacius librarian Amy Parenteau drew the names of three lucky winners at a drawing for copies of the new Harry Potter book on July 21 at the library. Winners were John Gronquist, David Daubert, and Lisa Kottke-Roddy. The drawings were sponsored by the Friends of the St. Bonifacius Library and the Library Foundation of Hennepin County. Photo credit: Hennepin County Library.

(posted 26 Jul 07)

At CLN's most recent Conversation with Anita Silvey, authors (from left to right) Marion Dane Bauer, Debra Frasier, Anita Silvey, and Cari Meister laugh over some of the delightful stories the group shared. After an hour of Q&A with Ms. Silvey, the 35 people attending talked, ate, laughed, and connected with new and old friends.

Plans are underway for Conversations in other parts of the country where CLN members live. Will you be at the next one?

(posted 26 Jul 07)

A ‘Mockingbird’ in Monroeville. Author Loretta Ellsworth spoke to the Monroeville Rotary Club on June 20 about her new YA novel, In Search of Mockingbird (Henry Holt). Ellsworth (r.) is pictured here with Monroeville librarian Bunny Hines Nobles. Ellsworth also made appearances at Little Professor in Birmingham, the Book Basket in Wetumpka, and Page and Pallette in Fairhope, Ala.

(posted 22 Jul 07)

Erik Brooks is visiting 27 mostly rural library branches in central Washington this summer as a part of the North Central Regional Library summer reading program. You can read about his schedule and mini-tour. The picture is from the Soap Lake Public Library stop (June 27th, 2007). It features the one and only known illustration of a Pigeleken.

(posted 16 Jul 07)

Author and illustrator Derek Anderson is the creator of the theme for the Metropolitan Library Services Agency summer reading campaign, used throughout Minnesota at its public libraries. Seen here at the Como Park Zoo in Saint Paul on June 14th, readers with markers and paper were helping to kick off the campaign, "Go Bananas at Your Library." Gladys, the star of Derek's Gladys Goes Out to Lunch is the inspiration for this upbeat program to encourage kids to keep reading during the summer months.

(first posted 7 July 2007)

Author Natalie M. Rosinsky was recently honored by the Western Writers of America as a finalist in the 2007 Spur Award competition for juvenile nonfiction for her biography of Northern Paiute leader Sarah Winnemucca. She attended this outstanding event in which more than 50 western writers were recognized for their work. The book, Sarah Winnemucca: Scout, Activist, and Teacher also represented the state of Nevada at the 2006 National Book Festival in Washington, D.C.

(first posted 2 July 2007)

Author John Coy reads out loud from his book Around the World (Lee & Low), a graphic novel about basketball as it's played all over the globe, at a Saint Paul Saints game.

Sitting next to John is Saint Paul Saints pitcher Justin Lord.

 (first posted 23 June 2007)

June 12, 2007 marked the "Blessing of the Unit Ceremony" at St. Mary's Hospital, Duluth, Minnesota, where Debra Frasier's final illustration from her book, On the Day You Were Born, now graces the birthing floor of this state-of-the-art hospital. Framed prints line the walls opposite the mural, and a copy of the board book edition of On the Day You Were Born is now awarded to each new arrival. This newly renovated wing carried one tradition over to the new decor: a button inside the mural is pressed whenever a new child arrives, playing Brahms Lullaby softly across the hosipital unit.

(first posted 15 June 2007)

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie reading Hunches in Bunches out loud to students at Turtle Lake Elementary in Shoreview, Minnesota.

(first posted 1 June 2007)