Archive for Happenings

Forgive Me, I’ve Been Away . . .

April 29, 2026 / / No comments

Hey, hey.

Just got back from a trip. Sorry it’s been quiet. But, of course, I assume you’ve weathered the bloggy silence in fine fettle.

If the root of vacation is to vacate,* I maintain that it requires two full weeks to get the job done. And I did. I vacated that skull of mine, and its crawling ticker of obligations and responsibilities, like nobody’s business.

Note: I will not refer to the Latin origin, vacare — a freedom from, to be empty — because that feels a little pretentious and that’s so not me. Think: vacant, vacuum, evacuate. 

Now back, after driving close to 3,000 miles, I’ve been digging out from under all day. 

Headed into a busy month of school visits. 

No rest for the wicked.

Speaking of wicked, I trust you’ve all been well?

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Warwick Children’s Book Festival, 10/12

October 9, 2025 / / No comments

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In a world that has gone completely off the rails, there remain some simple values we can still enjoy and support.

Books, reading, children. 

And, yes, sure, the good folks who create the books and try to eke out a living doing so.  There are times we feel like an endangered species.

Please stop by my table and say hello!

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This Saturday, November 2nd: The Rochester Children’s Book Festival!

October 31, 2024 / / No comments

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The obvious upside that comes with signing at book festivals is that we get to meet young readers. And that’s a beautiful thing. But more and more, I’m looking behind these kids and seeing a smiling grandparent, a mother with three other children in tow, a dad who looks more excited to be there than anybody in the room. The families that support literacy and believe in books and want that for their children. So they carve out the time, gas up the car, drive out to the festival, open their wallets, and act like the whole thing is xmas morning. I believe this is the festival’s 29th year and it couldn’t happen without a strong, generous community. Year after year, these inspiring families come out to the Rochester Children’s Book Festival. I’m so lucky to have a seat at the table. It does the heart good.
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Please say hello if you can make it.
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Category: Current Events, Happenings / Tags: ,

My Niece Fixed My Hair . . . and Other News

August 6, 2024 / / No comments

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So this happened:

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It’s exciting news, I’ll be participating in yet another Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. It’s a privilege and a pleasure. 

But my hair. 

What the actual . . . ?

I may have complained on social media. As a profession curmudgeon, I can’t disappoint my dozens — and DOZENS — of followers. 

Obviously, somebody hacked away on Photoshop. A bad trim. I got a tragic haircut while staying at home minding my own business.

Anyway, I’m fortunate. My fabulous niece, Sara, saw this affront to my coiffure and, having skillz, fixed it.

She posted this:

 

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There. Now I feel so much better.

I have four new (or semi-new) books in 2024:

Blood Mountain in paperback:

A collection of Scary Tales in paperback:

A new easy-to-read story:

And a middle-grade novel:

 

How’s that for range?

So, please, yes, come by and say hello. You don’t have to buy anything. I’ll be the guy wearing a hat!

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Category: Happenings / Tags: , ,

Children’s Literature Connection “Caldecott & Newbery Tea”: April 23rd, Guilderland Library

April 12, 2023 / / No comments

 

LOCAL LIBRARIANS, TEACHERS: The annual Caldecott & Newbery Tea, where local authors & librarians mingle, laugh, and listen to commentary on the award-winning titles (I’ll be speaking, briefly, on Newbery Honor Book Iveliz Explains It All).

Be brave and come help us build a better, stronger, bigger (and younger!) book community as we look back on the most acclaimed children’s books of 2022.

 

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Category: Current Events, Happenings / Tags: , ,
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