Claire's Day

Over 700 Toledo-area kids who have made progress in reading got to choose a book as part of the 13th annual Claire's Day book festival, and there were book signings, readings, and activities all day. The festival honors Claire Lynsey Rubini, a book-lover who died at age ten. Some pictures from the day, with some of the authors and illustrators:

Outdoor activities at the Maumee branch library

 

 

Barry Gott, illustrator of the Dino-sports books by Lisa Wheeler

Margaret McMullan, author of historical novels of coming of age in Mississippi

Rebecca Barnhouse,whose novels have a medieval background

Bryan Chick, author of the Secret Zoo books

Dandi Daley Mackall's books cover a wide range.

Indies First Story Time Photos

I couldn't be at the Book Beat in Oak Park, MI for its Indies First Story Time on Saturday, but my Sheep in a Jeep was there, read by Detroit's own Jean Alicia Elster! Look here for photos of the Book Beat's stellar group of authors and illustrators.

Indies First Story Time on Saturday, May 17

Author Kate DiCamillo has started a nationwide storyfest, happening this Saturday to celebrate independent bookstores during Children's Book Week. In my part of Michigan, Shanda Trent and Shutta Crum will be reading at Nicola's Books, Ann Arbor, and the Book Beat in Oak Park will have a star-studded cast, including Christopher Paul Curtis, Gloria Whelan, Wong Herbert Yee, Jean Alicia Elster, Kathryn Madeline Allen, Matt Faulkner, and Tracy Gallup. 

Check out the story time at your local bookseller here.

Claire's Day

This Saturday I will be at Claire's Day, "a celebration of life, authors, illustrators and reading excellence" in Maumee, Ohio. This children's book festival honors the memory of Claire Lynsey Rubini, who was 10 when she died, but lives on as books are shared with children from the Toledo area. I'm looking forward to the activities.