Spring has (finally) sprung! Along with April showers, the Boston area can expect lots of children’s literature events this month.
Origami Yoda series author Tom Angleberger will lead origami activities from his latest book, Art2-D2′s Guide to Folding and Doodling, at several nearby locations this week:
- Wednesday, April 3rd, at 3:00 p.m., Brookline Public Library’s main branch (hosted by the Children’s Bookshop)
- Saturday, April 6th, at 10 a.m., Brookline Booksmith
- Saturday, April 6th, at 4 p.m., Wellesley Booksmith
Massachusetts author Miriam Glassman (Halloweena) will sign her new middle-grade novel Call Me Oklahoma at a book launch party hosted by Wellesley Booksmith. The event is free and will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 4th.
French “Prince of Preschool Books” Hervé Tullet (Press Here) will be celebrating the publication of I Am Blop! at the Brookline Public Library’s Main branch on Wednesday, April 10th, at 3:30 p.m. The free event is hosted by the Children’s Bookshop; see the store’s Facebook event page for more details. (More on Monsieur Tullet here and here!)
On Thursday, April 11th, at Wellesley Booksmith, Robin LaFevers (Theodosia series; Nathaniel Fludd: Beastologist series) will sign Dark Triumph, the second entry in her YA series Grave Mercy. The free event begins at 7:00 p.m.; more information available at the store’s website.
Brookline Booksmith is hosting a conversation between “Simon’s Cat” web cartoon creator Simon Tofield and Jef Czekaj (Cat Secrets; Hip and Hop Don’t Stop; Yes, Yes, Yaul!) on Monday, April 15th to celebrate the release of Simon’s Cat in Kitten Chaos. The event starts at 7:00 p.m.; visit the Booksmith’s website for more information.
Former Horn Book editor in chief Anita Silvey (The Essential Guide to Children’s Books and Their Creators; 100 Best Books for Children; 500 Great Works for Teens) will share children’s literature history from The Children’s Book-a-Day Almanac (a companion to her blog of the same name) at the Cambridge Public Library’s main branch on Tuesday, April 17th, at 6:00 p.m. See the library’s site for more details.
On Thursday, April 25th, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., we’re hosting a free conference called “Fostering Lifelong Learners: Prescribing Books for Early Childhood Education” with the Cambridge Public Library and Reach Out and Read. Dr. Robert Needlman, editor of Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care, will keynote the conference; author/illustrator Anna Dewdney will sign her Llama Llama books. Online registration, a full list of presenters, and schedule available here.
The Foundation for Children’s Books will host its spring “What’s New in Children’s Books” conference on Saturday, April 27th, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Authors Joseph Bruchac, Katie Smith Milway, and Dedie King; illustrator Judith Inglese; and librarian Jennifer Hanson will speak on the theme “Reading Across Cultures.” The half-day conference will be held at Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill; registration is $65 ($25 for students). See the flyer for more details and register online at the FCB’s website.
Last, but certainly not least, Mo Willems will sign his latest picture book That Is NOT a Good Idea! at Mass Bay Community College’s McKenzie Auditorium at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 27th. The $5 tickets (children under three years attend free) may be used as a $5 coupon towards the purchase of a Willems book. Tickets and more details available at Wellesley Booksmith’s website.
Will you be attending — or hosting — another children’s lit–related event around Boston this month? Please let us know in the comments!
About Katie Bircher
