CHILDREN'S BOOKS FOR ALTADENA: Vroman's Book Drive to Help Children and Families Affected by the Wildfires

A week ago I brought a number of my books to Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena as a contribution to the book drive for children and families of Altadena who have been affected by the recent terrible wildfires. Vroman's is partnering with Children's Books for Altadena. I could see by the number of huge boxes of books already collected that many people have contributed. I know the books will go to good use. I was happy to help.

CLCSC AWARDS PROGRAM: Honoring Southern California Authors and Illustrators

On Saturday, November 12, 2022, I was happy to attend the annual awards celebration of the Children's Literature Council of Southern California, held in person for the first time since the pandemic. In 2020, I was honored to receive the nonfiction award for my book Butterflies in Room 6, but at that time the ceremony was held online and interaction was limited to my computer screen. It was wonderful to be able hear this year's recipients tell about their books in person, and to listen to the keynote speech by Dr. Claudette McLinn and Michael McLinn of the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature (CSMCL.) 

The event was held in the social hall of Throop Church in Pasadena. While we listened to the speakers we sipped tea and coffee and dined on delicious sandwiches and desserts. Before and afterward everyone had a chance to chat and catch up on the news of the last two years! Many thanks to all the people at CLCSC for making the event possible.

 

Here is a list of the 2022 award winners:

Distinguished Work of Juvenile Non-Fiction
Cougar Crossing by Meeg Pincus, Illustrated by Alexander Vidal

Outstanding Picture Book Reflective of World Events
Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham

Outstanding Contribution to Juvenile Fiction
Real by Carol Cujec and Peyton Goddard

Stellar Work of Fiction for Young Adults
The Girl from the Sea by Molly Ostertag

Dorothy C. McKenzie Award
for Distinguished Service to the Field of Children's Literature
Keren Taylor from WriteGirl

BOOK SIGNING at KIDSPACE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, Pasadena, CA

A week ago, on April 6th, at the KidSpace Museum in Pasadena, I had an enthusiastic crowd of kids and their parents, who came for my reading of Butterflies in Room 6. Everyone gathered in the Storyteller Studio in Roberts Pavilion--kids seated on a rug on the floor and parents on comfortable sofas.

After listening to the story, the kids watched my butterflies fly around in their netted cage, looked at them through a magnifying glass, and created their own butterfly artwork with coloring pages, while I answered questions and signed books.

Many thanks to Susan in the museum book store, Vince Dominguez, the floor manager, and the staff of the KidSpace museum, for organizing the event and selling my books! And thanks to my husband, Art, for taking the photos.

Looking at the butterflies through a magnifying glass. At home I raised painted lady butterflies from caterpillars and brought them to my presentation. After the butterflies emerged from their chrysalises, I gave them orange slices for food. (In nature, butterflies feed on flower nectar.) After my presentation at KidSpace, I released the butterflies in my backyard.

Author Visit to New Horizon School in Pasadena

At New Horizon School, Pasadena, CA

Recently I had a very successful visit to New Horizon School in Pasadena where I spoke to two groups of children. I was surprised and pleased to hear the upper grades greet me in Arabic–which they explained meant "Peace Be Upon You." With grades two through four I showed slides and talked about the process of writing.  With the children in pre-K through first grades, we did several activities including a lion hunt, measuring wingspans, and singing the Wiggle and Waggle song.  I finished by reading aloud my book The Terrible Hodag and the Animal Catchers.  Mrs. Nelson’s Toy and Book Shop provided Wiggle and Waggle and Too Hot? Too Cold? for purchase and signing and many children went back to their classes happily holding their new books.  I thank principal Kim Badge for inviting me and for making sure that everything ran smoothly.