Coming March 1

Look what showed up on my porch--two new board-book editions will be out March 1.

The Giving Season

Southeast Michigan children's-book fans have a large line-up of authors and illustrators to meet this Saturday, December 5, from 1-4 p.m. at the Orion Township Public Library, Lake Orion, MI 48362. This book fair features the picture-book debut of the library's own Kris Remenar, Groundhog's Dilemma. It's illustrated by Kris's husband, Matt Faulkner. Here's the line-up: http://orionlibrary.org/author-illustrator-fair/ Baaab and I hope to see you there.

Hanging out at the bookstore

Baaab is tickled to find some of his favorites at Literati Bookstore. Today is the day to give a boost to the businesses in your community--and take advantage of the customer service that independent bookstores can give.

Small Business Saturday

Baaab doesn't think much of Black Friday, or shopping on Thanksgiving, but he likes the idea of visiting a friendly bookstore on Small Business Saturday, November 28. He's going to help out at Literati in Ann Arbor. I'm reading a couple of stories at 11 a.m. Please come if you're in the neighborhood, and if you're not, here's a handy way to find your closest independent bookstore:
IndieStorefinder.

Autumn Travels with Baaab the Sheep

The Bacon Free Library in Natick, MA

Baaab visits the Bacon Free Library for story time and meets Children's Librarian Fran Daneault and Director Meena Jain.

The Merritt Bookstore in Millbrook, NY, geared up for the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival. We stopped by in the middle of preparations.

Merritt Bookstore staff at the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival stayed busy!

Susanna Hill & Iza Trapani read their sheep books at the festival.

Baaab had heard so much about the festival! At last, he got to greet sheep enthusiasts from all over.

Road trip

Baaab the sheep and I are heading to  New England and New York State. If you're in the area, please stop by at the Bacon Free Library in Natick, MA, on Tuesday, October 13 for story hour at 10 a.m. If you're a fan of sheep in general, you will love the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY on Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18. Knitting, weaving, demonstrations, sheep in a whole lot of breeds--and sheep authors Susanna Hill and Iza Trapani. We'll be reading and signing our books.

Horn Book review of Sheep Go to Sleep

The Horn Book Magazine 's review of Sheep Go to Sleep in the July/August issue says, "Apple's soft colored-pencil illustrations set a peaceful pastoral scene, while the soothing assonant sounds of the text ask young listeners to, well, begin counting their own sheep." The sheep will have sweet dreams after being called "iconic," and they like knowing they're helping with math concepts.