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I will be at book fairs the next two Saturdays.

On April 27 I’ll be at the Albany Children’s Book Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Albany Academies, 140 Academy Road, Albany, New York.

Then on May 4 I’ll be at the Hudson Children’s Book Festival, also from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Hudson Junior and Senior High School, 215 Harry Howard Avenue, Hudson, New York.

If you are around either day, drop by and say hello!…

On Saturday September 15 I’ll be at the BranfordReads festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Branford Green, in Branford, Connecticut. The celebration includes presentations by a host of authors (I present at 12:30), book signings, puzzle contests, a Brainquest challenge, a silent auction, food, music, and at 2 p.m. there will be an award ceremony honoring the top summer readers from Branford public schools. Come join the fun!…

This next month will be a busy one for me. Here’s a list of some of the places I’ll be:

Wednesday, April 18 at 1 p.m., I’ll be appearing at the Barnes & Noble in North Haven, Connecticut with Amanda Marrone, for a talk and book signing.

Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21, I’ll be attending A Celebration of the Picture Book conference at the Whitney Humanities Center at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Rosemary Wells will be one of the keynote speakers, and my friend, the author/illustrator Deborah Freedman will be presenting at one of the panels, along with many other talented folks.

Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., I’ll be at the Albany Children’s Book Festival in Albany, New York, signing books and schmoozing with over 70 children’s books authors and illustrators.

Saturday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., I’ll be at the Hudson Children’s Book Festival in Hudson, New York, signing and schmoozing with over 85 children’s books authors and illustrators.

If you are at any of these events, come by and say hello!…

This 32-second video was made by kids at the Hudson City Junior and Senior High School for the Hudson Children’s Book Festival.

It does its job really well. Congratulations!

P.S. I’ll be at the festival, too.

P.P.S. If the embedded video doesn’t come up on your screen, click on the Read more. . . link below.…

I’ll be at the Southwestern Connecticut Youth Book Expo at the Shelton Courtyard Marriott, 780 Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton, CT on Saturday October 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., along with 23 other children’s book authors and illustrators.

For more information about the event, the participants and the schedule, please visit the SWCT Youth Book Expo website.

Come by and say hello!…

Just a reminder that this Saturday May 7, from 10 to 4, I’ll be at the third annual Hudson Children’s Book Festival at the Hudson Junior and Senior High School in Hudson, New York.

There will be over 100 children’s and young adult authors and illustrators, hundreds of books to browse, author and illustrator presentations, arts & crafts, cooking and workshops. Music will be provided by Radio Disney and there will be food and other treats available. Admission is free.

Come by and say hello!…

On Saturday May 7, from 10 to 4, I’ll be at the Hudson Children’s Book Festival in Hudson, New York. Come by and say hello!…

I had a wonderful time at the Albany Children’s Books Festival yesterday. I met readers of all ages, teachers, librarians, even a school principal. Dozens of children, and a few adults, folded paper boxes and cranes with the help of my trusted assistant, the patient and extraordinary-good-sport, Abby. (Thank you!) The organizers of the Festival did a terrific job keeping us fed and hydrated, and were helpful at every turn.

I participated in a panel on the challenges of chidren’s book publishing with Amanda Marrone, Barbara Dee, Lyn Miller-Lachmann, and David Hyde Costello. We had an excellent turnout, with some great questions from the audience. It was good to hear all the different experiences we had getting ourselves published–with many lessons that overlapped.

One of the fun things about book festivals, beside all the gorgeous books that threaten to bankrupt me, are all the authors and artists I get to meet. I sat between the talented Jeannine Atkins and Karen Beil. They were a whole lot of fun to schmooze with during the occasional lulls. We had a mini Class of 2k7 reunion, with Eric Luper, Jo Knowles, Rose Kent, and Aimee Ferris. It’s great to see us all doing so well in our careers! I finally met Amy Gordon whose The Gorillas of Gill Park has been a long-time family favorite. I ran into the indefatigable Katie Davis whom I hadn’t seen in about ten years. And there were so many more!

A big thank you goes to the Festival’s organizers and the students at the Albany Academies, who made the day run as smoothly as it did.…

I drove over 300 miles round trip yesterday—exhausting but worth it.

The Albany Children’s Books Festival was a hit! The organizers were warm and helpful. And I met a lot of wonderful people, eager children, talented artists and writers and so many avid readers. Some of my high points: meeting an 8-year old true fan of No Castles Here and reading his favorite chapter; eating a delicious lunch with the best rice pudding for dessert; and making origami boxes with countless children, and watching them show them off to family and friends.

My thanks to the organizers at the Albany Academies for pulling the day together.…