Monday, May 25, 2015

An Open Book

Founding Director Dara LaPorte of An Open Book Foundation introduces Baaab and me to kindergartners at Roscoe R. Nix Elementary in Silver Spring.

Baaab looks forward to handing out copies of Sheep in a Jeep to the kindergartners.

Reading Specialist Mrs. West with me and Mrs. Greene's kindergarten

Last week I had the privilege of visiting classes at Roscoe R. Nix Elementary in Silver Spring, Maryland, with Janet Zwick and Dara LaPorte of An Open Book Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to bringing books to kids in the greater Washington, D.C. area. They and the schools do the all-important work of getting the kids ready to meet an author, so the audience is focused on the program. They also give each child an autographed book to keep, as well as sets of books for the classrooms. Baaab and I loved meeting the Nix students!

Gaithersburg Book Festival

Erin Hagar and Laura Bowers staff the SCBWI tent.

Sheep and goats together--I got to meet Erica Perl, shown here with her new book Goatilocks and the Three Bears.
Newbery medalist Kwame Alexander gets ready to speak about The Crossover.

Mary Norris autographs Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen.
Mary Quattlebaum and Erin Hagar at the SCBWI tent.

With Mayor Jud Ashman, founder of the festival, at the author party

Mikki Knudsen toasts the festival and celebrates her latest book, Marilyn's Monster.
 A few photos from the Gaithersburg Book Festival...

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Sheep are baaaack!

Sheep Go to Sleep is now in stores. Their newest adventure has the flock trying to settle down, but they get spooked by nighttime noises. When a trusty collie comes by, he figures out what each sheep needs to feel sleepy:
The tired sheep begins to snore.
One asleep! How many more?
It's a countdown until they all nod off--even the collie.

Booklist says, "The endearing colored-pencil illustrations portray the animals’ emotions with clarity and wit. Besides offering a low-key introduction to counting and subtraction, this amiable picture book is just right for bedtime reading."