ALA, part 2

Some 20,000 librarians, publishers and writers

descended on Anaheim, CA, 

for the annual American Library Association conference

June 21-26, 2012.

This was a crazy, good time to celebrate books

and to meet twitter/blog/facebook followers

and librarians

and colleagues

 

(Judy Zuckerman)

(Katy Horning, Emily Kokie)

(Randy and Karen Hesse)

(me, Ed Spicer, Katherine Applegate)

(Joanna Cotler, Susan Katz, Kate Jackson, Lisa von Drasek)

(Newbery winner Jack Gantos and daughter Mabel)

Such a week!

Such good folk!

Wish I had been able to take more photos

. . .

next time 

. . . 

xx

Away and Back

I've been away

in California

for the annual 

ALA (American Library Association) Conference.

Thousands of librarians gather

along with publishers and authors.

We all celebrate books.

Great energy.

Above, at the HarperCollins Breakfast

from left to right:

Me

Susan Katz, President of HC Children's Books

Kate Jackson, Editor-in-chief 

What a fine, fine time. 

More to come 

after I unpack.

xx

Reading Corners, Child-sized

Several years ago, when we renovated our oldish home

we carved out several child friendly places.

This one takes the place of a closet:

the top level is a cushioned area

and below is a puppet theater space.

Both spaces have been

well used.

Did you have a special reading place

when you were young?

Or now?

xx

Bounty!

Following in the tradition of my father

I planted vegetable and flower gardens

and behold the bounty

so early!

Mounds of tender lettuce

sprinkles of fragrant roses

peonies

mint

as with

of course

a great story:

good ingredients

will feed the mind and the soul

ciao, bellas . . .

xx

BookExpoAmerica BEA

I've spent the past week in NYC

at BEA (BookExpoAmerica)

a conference of booksellers and publishers

with authors, teachers and librarians

rounding out the mix.

High energy!

Loads of dedicated book people!

Above is my long-time editor, Joanna Cotler.

One day I'll also get pics of the beautiful, dedicated teams

that also support authors:

marketing, publicity, sales, editorial, art.

So very much goes into the making of a beautiful book.

Another highlight of these big conferences

is the chance to see and hear colleagues:

Me with Neil Gaiman

He told me that he and I are the

"only two people in the world who have received

both the Newbery (USA) and Carnegie (UK) Medals."

We toasted ourselves.

He has a beautiful way about him.

and then . . .

I shared some laughs with

Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snickett)

a funny, funny man.

Another funny man 

was/is Eoin Colfer

but I don't have a photo of that encounter

alas.

Some other great authors whose air I shared on panels:

Rebecca Stead, Joan Bauer, James Dashner, 

Lauren Oliver, Judith Viorst, Shannon Messenger

and whose inspiring words I heard:

Walter Dean Myers, Lois Lowry, Chris Colfer, John Green and Kadir Nelson

and now I'm back home

and there is work to be done

after

a

nap

xx