The Horn Book’s old office in Charlestown had more space and a slightly different setup than our cozy current digs at Simmons College. One aspect of that setup was the “No Shelf,” full of extra copies of books and galleys. The old location didn’t have the benefit of students and professors walking by to take […]
A visit to Lyra’s Oxford (and other British children’s lit landmarks)
September 16, 2015 by Leave a Comment
I’m just back in the office after a week and a half in the UK — which seemed like a long time when we booked the trip, but felt like a whirlwind tour. The occasion was my cousin’s wedding in Oxford (congratulations, Emily and Felix!), but we visited Bath, London, and Edinburgh as well. We […]
JetBlue’s Soar with Reading program
September 14, 2015 by 3 Comments
You’re in a bustling airport in a new city, weighted down with souvenirs and the dozen books you had to bring. (Or is that just me?) Amid the sea of strangers’ faces, two familiar travelers greet you from a display at your gate. It’s Jack and Annie. I saw plenty of the stars of Mary […]
Pete the Cat in the Big Easy
September 3, 2014 by 2 Comments
I just spent a week in New Orleans, a place I’ve wanted to visit since first reading Interview with the Vampire as a teen. The week held plenty of sights and experiences I’d been highly anticipating (a ghost tour, the Garden District, blues and jazz clubs, and — of course — beignets) and some I […]
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — after hours!
August 8, 2014 by 4 Comments
Live, reporting from Orlando, Florida — it’s the intern! Every year around Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling’s birthday (July 31st, in case you aren’t quite the Harry Potter addict I am), approximately 3,000 fans convene for the annual LeakyCon. Once a Harry Potter–only conference, LeakyCon has since opened its doors to fan communities of all […]
52 Fun Things to Do on the Plane app review
April 24, 2014 by Leave a Comment
It’s school vacation week here in Boston — which always makes me think about taking trips. The app 52 Fun Things to Do on the Plane (Oceanhouse Media and Chronicle Books, 2013), created by Lynn Gordon with illustrations by Susan Synarski and Karen Johnson, will come in handy for parents looking for activities to occupy […]
An unexpected encounter with The Gremlins
July 18, 2013 by 1 Comment
On a recent trip to New Orleans I spent a day visiting the National World War II Museum. The museum itself was a treat for this history buff to explore, but as a children’s literature aficionado, I also got a pleasant surprise in the gift shop: on display was a book by Roald Dahl. I […]
