EGGS OVER EASY WITH AUTHOR LENORE LOOK

As you may know, writing and illustrating can be pretty solitary work and authors and illustrators need to get out of the studio once in a while. What better way to take a break from it all than to have breakfast with another author to talk about- what else? Work!

I recently had breakfast with the wonderful Lenore Look, author of many books, most prominently the sweet and funny ALVIN HO series.

I thought I ate a lot and ate quickly, but I guess I was no match for this 5-foot tall dynamo!

Read about Lenore and I sharing the most important meal of the day on her blog.

TURN THE PAGE in Newtown, CT

It was a great honor and privilege to be part of the TURN THE PAGE event in Newtown, CT.

I spent my first day there visiting classrooms and speaking to the students. We had a great time! There were so many wonderful friends new and old participating. It was a regular who's who of children's book literature. On the second day, we all signed books, talked and laughed with folks from Newtown.

Here are just a few of the ultra-talented authors and illustrators who participated: (back row) Barbara McClintock, Brian Selznick, Tony DiTerlizzi (front row), Christopher Paolini, Jeff Kinney, me, Robin Preiss Glasser, Nick Bruel and Judy Schachner.

HELLO KENTUCKY!

I speak at LOTS of conferences and love the opportunity to connect with other book-lovin' folks like myself all over the world. This time I visited a state I've never been to: KENTUCKY! I had a great time!

Once in a while I have the great honor of meeting some incredibly talented and entirely gracious people. Although we've crossed paths before, I had the absolute pleasure to speak late into the night on all manner of topic with author Jack Gantos. We swapped tales of the publishing industry, writing and the road like 2 grizzled sailors comparing scars and tattoos.

You MUST check out this man's books. His talent is only exceeded by his kindness.

THANK YOU, JAZAMS OF PRINCETON, NJ!

I spent a lovely day signing, chatting and laughing with authors Tiffany Strelitz Haber and Ame Dyckman at Jazams!

THANKS FOR ALL THE INCREDIBLE ARTWORK AND LETTERS!

I LOVE getting letters and artwork from my readers! Here are just a few recent ones.

This photo was sent to me after I visited this young artist's school. How lovely!

FINAL SCREEN FREE TOUR STOP: PHILADELPHIA, PA!

Hmmm. Wasn't I just in Philly a few weeks ago? At this point, I'm not entirely sure!

On the final stop on the Screen Free Tour, I visited several wonderful schools and had a FANTASTIC time spreading the word of UNPLUGGING!

Now it's time for me to hop a train and head back home, but more specifically, jammies and bed.

Au Revoir, gang!

SCREEN FREE TOUR STOP: WASHINGTON, DC!

On a rainy morning the Book Street Boys amble to the venerable DC bookstore Politics & Prose, their final stop together on the now legendary Screen Free Tour.

This photo reminds me of 4 other guys, but I can't think of who they are. Any ideas?

Of course there were stacks of books to sign!

How many kids can fit in a bookstore?

They were all more than happy to take on the UNPLUGGED challenge!

We had a great time. Hope the kids did, too!

But soon it was time for us to go our separate ways.

Auf Wiedersehen, boys!