SCHOOL VISITS at the Humboldt County Children's Author Festival, Eureka, CA

Last week was the Humboldt County Children's Author Festival in beautiful Eureka, California. I was one of twenty-four participating authors and during the first two days of the festival we visited more than fifty schools throughout Humboldt County. Our volunteer drivers brought us to a wide variety of schools, big and small, some in Eureka and Arcata, some located in tiny rural communities. 

I visited three schools--two on Thursday and one on Friday. On Thursday I went to Big Lagoon Elementary and Orick Elementary--taking a beautiful drive up the coast--encountering two herds of elk on the way. 

Big Lagoon has a total of twelve students. The younger children were very enthusiastic and full of questions and comments. The older students in were also attentive and very interested in the writing and publishing process. I thank the principal, Christy Ng, and the teachers for sharing my books ahead of time and preparing the students.

At Orick School, which has nine students, there were more elk on the playground than students! It was fun having lunch with the kids and getting to know them and the teachers. I enjoyed the personal way I was able to share my books with them. And I appreciated their charming penguin drawings that were inspired by my book A Penguin’s World.  I thank the principal Justin Wallace for coordinating my visit.

Orick School is at the edge of Redwood National Park. After my visit, my driver and I took a short detour for a walk through beautiful Ladybird Johnson Grove before returning to Eureka.

On the second day of author visits at the Author Festival I visited Coast Redwood Montessori School, tucked in the dunes of Humboldt Bay. I loved the enthusiasm of the students and their great questions. I thank librarian Tess Yinger for preparing the students for my visit. During the break before lunch, the children proudly showed me the extensive school garden. 

I then followed the path to the top of the dunes for a spectacular view of the ocean on one side and the bay on the other.

I have been participating in the Humboldt County Children's Author Festival since 2007. Every year I go to great schools, each with its own personality. I thank everyone on the Festival committee for doing such a great job of coordinating all of the author visits.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY CHILDREN'S AUTHOR FESTIVAL: Celebrating 50 Years!

Celebrating 50 years of the Humboldt County Children's Author Festival

I'm just back from Eureka, California, and the incomparable Humboldt County Children's Author Festival--celebrating its 50th year! It is an honor to have been part of the celebration—three days with author visits in the schools, a gala banquet, and book signing in the Humboldt County Library. I was one of twenty-four authors, together visiting more than fifty schools throughout Humboldt County--all organized by the dedicated Author Festival Committee. No other author festival has such wide community support and such amazing volunteers.  

Morris Graves Museum, Youth Gallery Exhibit. Illustrations from my books, A Day and Night on the Prairie and A Day and Night in the Desert, on the right.

At the Morris Graves Museum of Art, Eureka, CA.

The first event was a reception at the beautiful Morris Graves Museum of Art (formerly a Carnegie Library). Prints of two of my illustrations were on exhibit in the youth art gallery along with art by other participating author/illustrators.

Big Lagoon Elementary School

Orick Elementary School

I have been coming to this biannual festival since 2007, and every time I go to terrific schools-some big, some small, many of them rural. This year was no exception. I loved my visits at Big Lagoon and Orick schools with their small number of students and the chance to interact personally with the kids. 

Welcome sign at Coast Redwood Montesori School

And the students at Coast Redwood Montessori were great too. I loved the question from one of the students, "Are you going to write a book about us?" Who knows? Ideas for new books are everywhere.

In the dunes behind Coast Redwood Montessori School.

Coast Redwood school is tucked in the dunes on the peninsula between the ocean and Humboldt Bay. During the break before lunch with the students at Coast Redwood I had a chance to walk in the dunes. What a fantastic view! 

Marina, Eureka, CA.

On Friday afternoon the authors had free time. Some took the opportunity to do the Sky Walk in the redwoods at the Sequoia Park Zoo, an activity I enjoyed on my last visit to Eureka; this time I did a self-guided walking tour of Eureka’s historic downtown, with its buildings from the turn of the last century when Humboldt Bay was a major port along the California coast.

All the authors at the banquet.

On Friday evening everyone assembled for a gala banquet at the new Sequoia Conference Center, in a large room filled with festive decorations. Delicious birthday cakes (see photo above) were provided by Ramon's Bakery. The highlight of the evening was the program in which each author gave a three-minute talk.

At the Humboldt County Library.

Humboldt County Library.

The last event of the festival was the book signing at the library on Saturday, when from 10am to 2pm the authors had the chance to meet the public and autograph books. Profits from the book sales help to support the festival. 

History of the Children's Author Festival at the Humboldt County Library.

Upstairs at the library was a wonderful exhibit of the history of the author festival with a display of posters, T-shirts, a quilt, and other memorabilia from the past. 

So many people work hard to coordinate all the details of the author festival and make sure everything operates smoothly and on schedule. I thank everyone on the committee for inviting me to be part of the Humboldt County Children's Author Festival once again. And I thank all the volunteers for everything they do to make this festival special. It was an honor to be part of the celebration of the 50th year of the Humboldt County Children’s Author Festival. Here's to many more!

ART SHOW: Morris Graves Museum of Art, Eureka, CA

Children's book illustrations on exhibit at the Morris Graves Museum, Eureka, CA.

I'm just back from Eureka, California, and the incomparable Humboldt County Children's Author Festival--celebrating its 50th year! The first event was a reception at the beautiful Morris Graves Art Museum (formerly a Carnegie Library).

With giclee prints of illustrations from my books A Day and Night on the Prairie (Capstone 2015) (top), and A Day and Night in the Desert (Capstone, 2015) (bottom)

Prints of two of my illustrations were on exhibit in the Youth Gallery along with art by other participating author/illustrators. Many thanks to Lucy Quinby for coordinating the show!

In front of the Morris Graves Museum of Art.

The building, once the town library, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

ILLUSTRATIONS FROM A DAY AND NIGHT IN THE DESERT, at the Morris Graves Museum of Art, Eureka, CA

At the Morris Graves Museum of Art, Eureka, CA.

 I have just returned from the Humboldt County Children’s Author Festival, four days of celebrating books and reading. Events include author visits to schools throughout Humboldt County, book signing at the Humboldt County Library in Eureka, California, a dinner and banquet with community members, and an exhibit of children’s book illustrations by participating author/illustrators at the Morris Graves Museum of Art. Two of my cut-paper illustrations from my book A Day and Night in the Desert are part of the exhibit. The art, on display in the downstairs youth art section, will remain up through the end of October and possibly through the end of November. With many thanks to Lucy Quimby on the Festival Committee, and Jemima Harr at the Morris Graves Museum of Art. I am pleased to have the opportunity to share my work as part of the Author Festival.

For more about the Festival, see my post at this blog for October 26, 2022.

In front of the Morris Graves Museum.

 

 

HUMBOLDT COUNTY CHILDREN'S AUTHOR FESTIVAL: Four Days Celebrating Books and Reading

Author visit at Ambrosini School, Fortuna, CA, for the Humboldt County Children's Author Festival

I am home now in Los Angeles and am thinking about all the amazing events of last week. It was wonderful to be back in beautiful Humboldt County for the Humboldt County Children's Author Festival.  I sensed an extra level of enthusiasm for the festival after waiting an extra year since the last festival because of Covid. Special thanks go to Festival coordinators Joan Williams, Becky Giacomini, and Linda Lorvig.

My art from A Day and Night in the Desert on exhibit at the Morris Graves Museum, Eureka, CA.

The Festival Committee and the dozens of volunteers do such a good job making sure that everything goes smoothly. From the opening reception and art exhibit, to the Thursday night potluck and student performance, to the Sky Walk at the Zoo and Banquet on Friday, to the book signing at the Humboldt County Library on Saturday, everything was great. 

Author visit at Cuddeback School, Carlotta, CA.

My schools (Ambrosini on Thursday and Cuddeback on Friday) were terrific. The students were enthusiastic and asked great questions. I thank Kim Gans, the librarian at Ambrosini, and Principle Blaine Sigler at Cuddeback for helping to prepare the students for my visit. At Ambrosini, each class had focused on one of my books and created a poster for display on the walls of the MPR. 

 

Mural by 1st graders inspired by Keeper of the Light

I was especially impressed by the first graders' mural of my new book Keeper of the Light. One of the students from that class came to the library on Saturday with his family and proudly told me that he had drawn the giant bell. 

Redwood Sky Walk at the Sequoia Park Zoo, Eureka, CA

On Friday afternoon, after we had finished our school visits, we had a special tour at the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka of the new Redwoods Sky Walk. This was a special treat, especially to have a guided tour by the zoo director. I learned, among other things, that the park has the distinction of having the tallest redwood in an urban area anywhere in the world!

 

At the Carson mansion, site of the Friday night banquet.

Friday evening was the traditional banquet, held at the elegant Carson Mansion at the edge of Humboldt Bay, a chance to celebrate with community members--at my table there were three librarians--and to hear each author give a short talk. The challenge is keeping one's remarks to less than 3 minutes!  

At the Saturday book signing at the library with author/illustrators Bob Barner and Bethanie Murguia.

On Saturday, at the library, I made a point to take pictures of all the authors (including a selfie of me)--in our colorful Take Flight With Books t-shirts. 

This year's festival theme was Take Flight With Books. The display at the Humboldt County Library featured my books A Zebra's World, A Moose's World, and Hatching Chicks in Room 6 next to a giant papier mache balloon.

The special thing about the Humboldt County Children's Author Festival is spending time with the other authors and getting to know the local volunteers who are involved in making it happen. Special thanks to Peter Springer for arranging my travel. I have been coming to the Festival since 2007 and enjoyed it every time.

 

Take Flight With Books Poster. Cake by Ramones (dessert at banquet)

Again, to all the volunteers and members of the committee, thanks so much for inviting me again to be part of the Author Festival! It is always a highlight of my year.

For more about the festival and its history, take a look at Peter Springer's blogpost.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY CHILDREN'S AUTHOR FESTIVAL PROMOTION VIDEO

A year from now, in October 2022, I will be participating in the biannual Humboldt County Children's Author Festival. In anticipation of that I have made a video for the Humboldt County Office of Education to help promote enthusiasm and prepare students and teachers for the festival. You can see my video on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/602047329 . Here is the text of the video:

I am CAROLINE ARNOLD, author of Butterflies in Room 6 and 170 other books for children.

I am so excited about the Author Festival coming up in October 2022.

            I always love to come to beautiful Humboldt County.

            I love visiting schools like yours to share my books and learn how you are using them in your classrooms and libraries.

            I love viewing the exhibit of children’s book illustrations at the Morris Graves Museum and seeing how other artists like me illustrate their books.

            And I always look forward to meeting old friends and making new ones at the festival.

 I love the theme of the 2022 Festival– Take Flight with Books.

            It is perfect for my books about birds and butterflies–true masters of the air.

            Books help us take flight in our imaginations–to faraway places, to other times in history, to the secrets of the natural world–even when we are stuck at home as we have been in this last year.

            When I was ten years old I met a girl who loved to read as much as I did. We went to the library together and checked out stacks of books. In the summer, we would spread out a blanket in the shade of the maple tree in my back yard and read our books together, sharing our favorite parts.

            I didn’t know then that I would grow up to be a writer. But I realize now that my love of reading helped me to become a writer. I was learning how other writers made their books exciting and made me want to turn the page. That’s my job today.

            Some of you may want to be writers or illustrators when you grow up. My advice is simple:  practice, practice, practice!

One way that you can practice your writing is by keeping a diary. I always keep a diary or log when I travel, which helps me remember all the exciting things I did and saw after I get home.

One way you can practice your art is by drawing in a sketch book. I like to go on sketching trips at the park with my granddaughter, who also loves to draw. Last summer during the pandemic it was a perfect outdoor activity when we couldn’t meet inside.

            I still love to read and draw and I belong to two book groups–one to discuss adult books and the other for children’s books.

            I also belong to a writer’s group. We share our stories and offer comments, helping one another to become better writers.

            By October 2022 I will have two new books to share with you-- Planting a Garden in Room 6: From Seeds to Salad, my third book with Mrs. Best and her kindergarteners, and Keeper of the Light: Juliet Fights the Fog, the true story of an intrepid lighthouse keeper in San Francisco Bay at the time of the 1906 earthquake.

            What I missed most during the pandemic were my in person visits to schools and libraries.

            I look forward to joining you in 2022 to Take Flight with Books at another wonderful Humboldt County Children’s Author Festival.

            Until then, have fun reading, writing, and drawing!

            Thank you!

           

DIVE INTO BOOKS: Humboldt County Children’s Author Festival 2019

The theme this year at the Humboldt County Children's Author Festival, Eureka, CA, was Dive Into Books

I am just home from the bi-annual Humboldt County Children’s Author Festival in Eureka, California, and it was as fabulous as ever. This was my seventh time to participate, and each time it gets better and better. The theme this year was Dive into Books. A giant octopus welcomed people to the library on the day of the book signing.

With my cut-paper illustrations  at the Morris Graves Museum of Art

The four day festival (October 16-19)  included author visits to schools, a gala banquet, book signing at the library, and an exhibition of children’s book art at the Morris Graves Museum of Art. I had two pieces of original art from my book A Day and Night in the Rain Forest in the exhibit.

The Morris Graves Museum of Art is located in the beautifully restored Carnegie Library building

On the opening day of the festival there is always a welcome reception for the authors and volunteers at the museum--a chance to see the art exhibit, to meet the wonderful volunteers who organize the festival and to mingle with the other authors. This year there were 25 of us!

Display of my books at Jacoby Creek School

Thursday and Friday are devoted to author visits in the schools and I had two wonderful school visits. The first was to Jacoby Creek School (grades K-8.) Librarian Marci Barker had done a great job preparing the students. I spoke to two groups of students in the morning, then had a delicious lunch from the restaurant across the street from the school, and then two presentations after lunch.

Joan Williams, Festival volunteer; Marci Barker, Librarian at Jacoby Creek School; Evelyn Bertell, my driver to the schools.

My driver for both days was Evelyn Bertell, an enthusiastic supporter of the Author Festival and whose children attend Jacoby Creek. On Friday afternoon, after we finished, she took me for a lovely walk at the bird sanctuary in Arcata.

Student performers and Alexis O'Neill, whose book The Recess Queen was one of the stories performed.

Thursday evening at the festival is always a potluck dinner (yummy food provided by the many festival volunteers) followed by a Readers Theater performance by students from the arts high school in Arcata, who did a brilliant presentation, weaving together stories by three of the Festival Authors and a book by Festival Committee member Byrd Lochtie, based on a story her mother told her when she was a child.

With Vicki Childress, teacher at Arcata Christian School

On Friday morning I went to Arcata Christian School where I did three presentations, one to the kindergarteners in their room, one to grades 1-4, and another to grades 5-8. Teacher Vicki Childress coordinated my visit and did a great job, including making a most impressive cake decorated with a large painted lady butterfly. The children in all the classes did artwork and writing projects that filled the walls in the room where I was presenting.

The Ingomar Club where the banquet was held

On Friday evening everyone gathered at the Ingomar Club (the historic Carson mansion) for a gala dinner. Entertainment was from the authors–each of us got three minutes at the podium--a challenge to decide what to say, but everyone always manages to be entertaining and different. Our timekeeper was Shirley Santino--dressed in keeping with the undersea theme.

Shirley Santino with her undersea props

The final event of the Authors Festival is a book signing on Saturday at the beautiful county library. Many thanks to Eureka Books for ordering and supplying all the books! We all wear our festival t-shirts as we chat with visitors and autograph books.

With author Mary Nethery at the book signing at the library

I do many author events but nothing is quite like the Humboldt County Children's Author festival. I can’t give enough thanks to all the people who put so many hours into planning and coordinating all the different moving parts. (The Festival website has a complete list of these amazing people and much more.) You all do a fantastic job! Thank you for making me a part of this unique and wonderful festival!

Theme poster for the festival.

ARTS ALIVE! Children's Book Illustrations at the MORRIS GRAVES MUSEUM OF ART, Eureka, CA

Illustration from A Day and Night in the Rain Forest, pp. 6-7

Illustration from A Day and Night in the Rain Forest, pp. 8-9

I am pleased to have two of my cut paper illustrations from my book A Day and Night in the Rain Forest currently on exhibit at the Morris Graves Museum of Art in Eureka, California, as part of the bi-annual Humboldt County Author Festival. 

Select works from participating illustrators, along with copies of their books, demonstrate the processes of illustration in children’s literature.  The art exhibit will be on view from September 7 through October 27, Wednesday–Sunday, 12:00–5:00. School groups can book tours for a personal look with one of the museum docents. Many thanks to Lucy Quinby on the Author Festival Committee and Jemima Harr, Executive Director-Curator of the Humboldt Arts Council, for organizing the exhibit. I am glad to have my work included in this exhibit. If you are going to be in Eureka during this time, please stop by and see the show! 

Along with 25 other authors and illustrators, I will be participating in the Author Festival, October 16-19, 2019, visiting schools, signing books at the library, and enjoying being with friends and book lovers in beautiful Humboldt County.  I always look forward to it!  For more information about the festival click here.