I loved visiting beautiful McIntyre's Books, just south of Chapel Hill, NC this past weekend for the WhirliKids Book Fest! I got to catch up with friends (including my Pitch Wars 2019 mentee!), make new ones, appear on a panel of wonderful authors, and sign copies of MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM! A wonderful … [Read more...]
School Visit at Indian Springs School!
I had the wonderful privilege of visiting with 150+ 4th and 5th graders at Indian Springs Elementary School in Columbus, OH! After an "assembly-style" large presentation and Q & A, I got to run two writing workshops with smaller groups of students! This school is filled with book … [Read more...]
Cover to Cover Books in Columbus, OH!
I got to visit Cover to Cover Books in Columbus, OH, once of the loveliest bookstores I've ever seen! I got to dish with kids and fellow writers about MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM, read an excerpt from the book, hold a challenging smelling contest, and share some freshly-baked cookies with everyone! I … [Read more...]
Farewell 2019, Hello 2020!
Last year, I chose a theme word for 2019 using this word generator and got "savor," which felt perfect for me and my baking-themed debut novel. Here's what I said looking ahead to 2019: 2019 is going to be full of exciting moments, and I'm going to try to savor them, to slow down and revel a bit … [Read more...]
Picture Book Boot Camp with Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple at The Highlights Foundation!
I was absolutely overjoyed to attend the 7th (!) annual Picture Book Boot Camp with Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple! It took place at the always-welcoming, always-inspiring Highlights Foundation, where twenty-four lucky picture book authors got to learn from Jane and Heidi and from each other. We also … [Read more...]
nErDCamp LI!
I was honored to join almost 50 fellow authors and over 300 educators at nErDCampLI this year! We shared inspiration, information, and our love of books, and a wonderful time was had by all! The incredible organizers made us all feel like stars...just take a look at the decorations, complete with a … [Read more...]
CASL/CECA 2019!
I headed to Harford, CT to connect with librarians, teachers, and technology experts. Along the way, I got to hang out with some awesome fellow authors!! … [Read more...]
Tweens Read!!
I was so incredibly lucky to be a part of Tweens Read, an astounding book festival put on by Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston, TX!! On Friday evening, I got to meet fellow authors in the lovely bookstore, enjoy some snacks, and add my signature to the wall of authors!! The next day, we gathered at … [Read more...]
Sedgwick Middle School!
I also visited wonderful Sedgwick Middle School in West Hartford, CT and ate lunch with some incredible middle grade readers! We chatted about writing and publishing, and I was so impressed with these students' love of books! … [Read more...]
Bristow Middle School!
I traveled to Bristow Middle School in West Hartford, CT to visit some awesome students!! Not only had many of them read MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM; a couple of young bakers made scrumptious gulab jakmun cupcakes and chocolate chunk cookies with thyme and citrus zest from the book! After snacking and … [Read more...]
McIntyre’s Books!
I met up with my awesome friend Gillian McDunn and another incredible author, Frances O'Roark Dowell, for a wonderful middle grade event on a rainy Sunday at McIntyre's Books in Pittsboro, NC! Before the panel, we were interviewed by a lovely tween blogger! The panel was full of great questions and … [Read more...]
Folio Books!
While I was in San Francisco, I got to visit a charming and magical bookstore, Folio Books, and present to their Middle Grade Book Worms club! The kids got to enjoy pizza and drinks, participate in a smelling contest, get their copies of MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM signed, and sign my "yearbook" … [Read more...]
Kidquake!!
I was so fortunate to be invited to Kidquake at the San Francisco Public Library this year!! As part of the annual Litquake celebration, I got to present alongside amazing authors and illustrators Ellen Klages, Diana Toledano, and K-Fai Steele!! The auditorium full of students heard about our … [Read more...]
Greenbrier School!
I loved visiting wonderful Greenbrier School in Arlington Heights, IL, where I presented to over 200 4th and 5th graders thanks to my wonderful publisher and The Book Stall. The kids were attentive, appreciative, and amazing! … [Read more...]
Ivy Hill School!
Thanks to my awesome publisher and The Book Stall, I got to visit over 200 4th and 5th graders at the Ivy Hill School in Arlington Heights, IL! The kids were absolutely wonderful, and I loved visiting this fantastic school! … [Read more...]
Builta School!
Visiting the Builta School in Bolingbrook, IL was such a treat...just take a look at the incredible MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM art they created using their school mascot, the badger! The students also made cupcake art, described ingredients they'd use in their baked goods, and wrote about creating with … [Read more...]
St. Mary School!
Thanks to Anderson's Bookshop, I traveled to DeKalb, IL to visit fifth and sixth graders at St. Mary School! The students and teachers were absolutely lovely, and had some great insights and questions about writing! … [Read more...]
Carmichael’s Kids!
Another writer dream came true for me when I had the opportunity to have an author event at an iconic bookstore in the town where I grew up! Carmichael's Kids is full of delight for young readers...and I was so thrilled to talk about MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM there! … [Read more...]
St. Agnes School!
I wrapped up my Louisville school visits at lovely St. Agnes School, where I met with some super-enthusiastic students who asked excellent questions! … [Read more...]
Returning to Louisville Collegiate School!
I was incredibly fortunate to return to my own wonderful alma mater, Louisville Collegiate School, for a MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM school visit! This is the school I attended from fourth grade through the end of high school, the school that shaped me. I wouldn't be who I am without this school, and if I … [Read more...]