Spring 2019 Book Events

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Introducing Diva Delores and Fernando (the Opera House Mouse!)

In just three months Diva Delores, the star of my next picture book, DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE (Sterling Children’s Books, March 6, 2018) will make her debut, as will her darling sidekick, Fernando.  And all of a sudden, last week, it hit me — what will they wear?  I mean a diva can’t  just wear any old thing to her debut. And neither can her companion.  They need to look special. They need to look dazzling.  They need to take your breath away.   I realized, I better get busy!!!

So, over the holidays, with the help of a couple of sweet elves (a special thanks to Dianne Herrick and Nancy Benz!), and inspired by Rebecca Gerlings wonderful illustrations, we got Diva Delores and Fernando all dressed up and ready to go. Since I plan on attending each and every book event and school visit as well, we pulled together a little something special for me too!

Ready for a sneak peek? Enjoy!

Both Delores and Fernando were extremely cooperative with the whole “glam” up process.  Here they are right before we got started, chilling out with the notions on Dianne’s sewing table.

Here I am sewing on Delores’ pearls.  She was a very patient seal and the pearls look “daahling”.

Delores was dee-lighted with Dianne’s superb sense of style in creating a dazzling headpiece. Fernando, meanwhile, was extremely patient, though he did manage to get into the cheese while Dianne was sewing the headpiece in place. (See below.)

Keeping the feathers floaty took great skill!

With headpiece and pearls in place, it was time for me to drape and sew on Delores’ boa.  After all that work, she and I decided to take a little break and practice our cadenzas.

After a few more cheese and crackers, we were ready to return and get Fernando dressed in a snappy blue jacket.  I’m still working on his spectacles.

And since I plan to attend Diva Delores’ many events as well, we thought it only proper that I have something dazzling to wear too.  A big thank you to Dianne for finding the shoes and to Nancy for providing the snazzy pink fascinator, not to mention the long black gloves and gaudy baubles.  The pearls were my mother’s.  See you at the opera!  =)

UPDATED: ‘Tis the Season for MORE Book Events!

In celebration of reading and living joyfully, I’ve added a few more events for the holiday season. Please join me, if you can.  I’d love to see you! 

Saturday November 26, 2016 10 – noon.  I’ll be reading my books and chatting with customers as part of Small Business Saturday at The Town Book Store in Westfield, NJ.

Sunday December 4th, 2016 1:30 – 4:00.  I’ll be reading GOODNIGHT, MANGER and signing books as part of Gingerbread Sunday at the Miller Cory House in Westfield, NJ.

Thursday December 8, 2016 12 – 2pm. I’ll be at the Barnes and Noble in Princeton, NJ reading and signing both books as part of a book fair. All are welcome.

Saturday December 10 2016 11- 1:30 pm.  Join me for festive readings of GOODNIGHT, ARK and GOODNIGHT, MANGER with puppets, then shop at the Cranford United Methodist Church’s Christmas Shoppe and Soup Festival. Note: The festival is open from 10 – 3pm.

Sunday, December 11, 2016 1pm. I’ll be at the Barnes & Noble in Springfield, NJ reading and signing both books as part of a book fair. All are welcome.

Tuesday December 20, 2016 10am.  Join me for an interactive story time featuring GOODNIGHT, MANGER at the New Providence Library. Meet my storytelling companion–Rooster and enjoy some fun book-themed coloring pages.

Wednesday December 21, 2016 10:30am.  Join me for an interactive story time featuring GOODNIGHT, MANGER at the Garwood Public Library. Meet my storytelling companion–Rooster and enjoy a holiday craft.

BARNES & NOBLE BOOK FAIR: Thank you, Let’s Play in Italian Preschool and Kindergarten!

I spent a lovely Saturday morning sharing GOODNIGHT, ARK with the cute kids from Let’s Play in Italian, a preschool and kindergarten in Scotch Plains. The story time took place at the Barnes and Noble in Springfield and was part of their book fair.

When I first arrived the children were enjoying a wonderfully animated sing-a-long with Italian-American artist and singer  Michela Musolino.  Using various instruments and props including a shell and an expresso cup, she brought Italian folk lore and music to life.  I enjoyed listening to her sing in Italian with her deep, rich voice while the children echoed back phrases in Italian. 

Then it was time for GOODNIGHT, ARK. First, I introduced the book and those stinky skunks!

Then I read the story. “Watch out or this bed will BREAK!”

 

Afterwards there was time to pet the skunks and sign a few books.

When story time was over, the children reconvened for some interactive folk dancing with Michela.

Thank you Barnes and Noble and Let’s Play in Italian for having me. I think we all had a great time!

Celebrating World Read Aloud Day 2016 with More SKYPE VISITS!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of Skyping with school children at Loganville Christian Academy in Loganville, GA and Vancouver Christian School in Vancouver, BC. The visits were in celebration of World Read Aloud Day. After introductions and an interactive reading of GOODNIGHT, ARK, there was time for a brief Q&A.  I was impressed by the questions posed by these six through eight year olds. They asked things like:

“What was your favorite picture book when you were a kid?”

“How do you think of ideas for your books?”

“How long does it take to write a book?”

“How do you think of a title for your book?”

“How do you add good details in your writing?”

“What do you want kids to get out of reading your books?”

I loved these questions because they show that these inquisitive young students are aren’t only thinking like readers, they are also thinking like writers! Great job, kids!

Finally, I’d like to extend a special thanks to the librarians at both of these schools for reaching out to me to set up the visits. I would also like to thank children’s author Kate Messner for putting together her World Read Aloud Day author Skype volunteer list for 2016.

If you are a librarian or a teacher interested in having me visit your school, please reach out to me using the “Contact” tab above.

Happy Reading all!

‘Tis the Season… FOR MORE BOOK EVENTS!

Please join me, if you can, at any of these upcoming book events!  I’d love to see you!  

Upcoming! Saturday November 28, 2015 11am.  Hear GOODNIGHT, ARK and GOODNIGHT, MANGER at Booktowne in Manasquan, New Jersey. There will be crafts and coloring pages too!

 Upcoming! Saturday December 5, 2015 10am. Listen to a reading of GOODNIGHT, MANGER and GOODNIGHT, ARK at Short Stories in Madison, NJ and learn a little bit about how picture books are made. There will be a craft too.

Upcoming! Thursday, December 10, 10:30 am.  Join me at the 3’s Storytime at the Mountainside, NJ Library for a GOODNIGHT, MANGER reading and craft. 

Upcoming! Saturday December 12 2015 10:30 – 12:30 pm.  Join me for festive readings of GOODNIGHT, ARK and GOODNIGHT, MANGER with puppets, then shop at the Cranford United Methodist Church’s Christmas Shoppe and Soup Festival. Note: The festival is open from 10 – 3pm.

Upcoming! Sunday, December 13, 2015 2pm, Forum Theatre, Metuchen, NJ. I’ll be reading GOODNIGHT, MANGER and then signing books during intermission as part of the holiday merrymaking at Moving Youth Dance Company’s holiday production, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas & Other Works”.  For information and tickets to the performance: (908) 276-9100.

Upcoming! Wednesday December 16, 10:30 am.  Join me at Garwood, NJ Public Library for a GOODNIGHT, MANGER story time with craft.

GOODNIGHT, MANGER: Blog Tour Itinerary!

It’s official! In celebration of the release of GOODNIGHT, MANGER, I’m going on tour, blog tour that is! Over the next few weeks, I’ll be making stops at the following blogs. There will be interviews, giveaways and more. Please join me on the journey!

10/5 GROG: An Interview

10/8  Time out with Becky Kopitzke:  Books to Build a Child’s Faith

10/12 Rosanne L. Kurstedt’s  KALEIDOSCOPE:  Book Birthday Bash!

10/14 Penny Klostermann’s  A Penny and her Jots:  Joint interview with illustrator Jane Chapman

10/19 Glenys Nellist Blog:  An Interview

10/21 Mia Wenjen’s Pragmatic Mom:  Best Bedtime Books

11/5 Katey Howe’s Katey Writes:  Chatting about Extension Activities

11/9  Nancy I. Sanders’ Blogzone:  An Interview

11/11 Amy Hill Hearth’s Facebook Author Page:  An Interview and Review

11/16 Noelle Kirchner’s The Ministering Mom:  Using the Nativity to Teach Little Ones about the Real Meaning of Christmas

11/24 Christine Henderson’s The Write Chris – On Writing:  A Christmas Interview

Mark Your Calendars: FALL BOOK EVENTS

Look what just arrived in the mail! My author copies of GOODNIGHT, MANGER! Their arrival means that books will soon be arriving at bookstores everywhere.  So now, in anticipation of the October 6th release of this new Christmas book, I think it’s time to start sharing some dates! (More events to come…stayed tuned.)

Sunday October 11, 2015 2:00 pm. Celebrate the release of GOODNIGHT, MANGER at a special story time/book signing at the Barnes and Noble in Springfield, New Jersey. 

 Saturday October 17, 2015 2:00 – 4:00 pm Tour the historic Miller-Cory House Museum in Westfield, New Jersey and stop by the garden for afternoon readings of GOODNIGHT, MANGER and GOODNIGHT, ARK.  

Saturday November 7, 2015 11:00 am.  Listen to a reading of GOODNIGHT, MANGER at Books and Co. and Toys too! in Lexington, Virginia and learn a little bit about how picture books are made. There will be a craft too!

Saturday November 14, 2015 2 – 4 pm. It’s double the fun with two picture book authors!  Tara Lazar and I will be sharing our new books at The Bookworm in Bernardsville, New Jersey.

Sunday November 15, 2015 3:00 pm. Join me for an encore reading of GOODNIGHT, MANGER at the Barnes and Noble in Springfield, New Jersey.

Saturday November 21, 2015 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Stroll the festooned streets of downtown Bethlehem, Pennsylvania at their annual Downtown Bethlehem Open House (running all day). Then stop in at the Moravian Book Shop for a special afternoon reading/book signing with craft. 

SPECIAL VISIT: Goodnight, Ark Sails to Lakeside Chautauqua

This week Noah and the gang traveled to Lakeside Chautauqua in Lakeside, Ohio for a special GOODNIGHT, ARK event. Founded in the 1870’s and nestled along scenic Lake Erie, Lakeside Chautauqua is an historic community dedicated to nurturing the mind, body, and spirit.

Hosted by Bev and Joan, the lovely booksellers at the Fine Print Book Store, our special story time took place at the historic Green Gables. I hope the pictures below capture the fun we had. Thanks to all for a great time!

Standing outside the Fine Print Book Store.

Bev and Joan did a terrific job creating an adorable window at the Fine Print Book Store featuring “Goodnight, Ark” along with some wonderful Folkmanis puppets.

The story time took place at Green Gables, the charming Victorian home of the Lakeside Women’s Club.

After Bev and Joan’s delightful singalong introduction, I read “Goodnight, Ark” to an adorable and attentive crowd.

Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a simple sticker craft.

It was my first time signing the board book edition of “Goodnight, Ark”. Look carefully and you can also get a sneak peek of “Goodnight, Manger” on display at the signing table.

Summertime Book Events (with Skunks and Crafts!)

Looking for something fun to do with the kiddos this summer? How about joining me for a summertime reading of GOODNIGHT, ARK. Meet my storytelling companions – Stinkie and Pinkie – and enjoy a special craft.  (The craft at the Princeton event will be extra special – created and designed by the amazing Dana Sheridan. To see just how amazing her crafts are, check out her blog, Pop Goes the Page. I can’t wait to see what she puts together for GOODNIGHT, ARK!)

July 13, 2015       PJ Storytime, 6:30 pm, Kenilworth Public Library, NJ

                             (Wear your pjs and bring your favorite stuffed animal!)

July 24, 2015       Tiger Tales Storytime 11am, Cotsen Library, ages 3 – 5

                              Princeton University, Princeton NJ

 August 3, 2015    Storytime and Craft  11am

                              Fine Print Book Store, Lakeside, OH  (Green Gables)

August 11, 2015   Toddler Storytime 10:30am, Garwood Public Library, NJ

August 19, 2015   Storytime and Craft 2pm

                              Point Pleasant Beach Public Library, NJ