Thursday, June 28, 2012

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



Tuesday, June 26, 2012

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



Monday, June 18, 2012

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

Saturday, June 16, 2012

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


Saturday, June 9, 2012

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