Barrington Books is hosting three blockbuster author events in honor of CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK, 2013. Children’s Book Week, celebrated nationally from May 13-19, is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country, with commemorative events held nationwide at schools, libraries, bookstores—wherever young readers and books connect.
Photo credit: Angela DeFrances
The celebration at Barrington Books kicks off with a special presentation book signing (and my personal favorite) by bestselling authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black—creators of THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES—on Wednesday, May 15th, from 6-8pm. The first fifty guests will receive a free, limited edition sketchbook by Tony DiTerlizzi!
THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES—about three siblings who have adventures in the fantastical world of fairy—boasts more than 12 million copies in print worldwide, has been adapted into a feature film, and translated in more than thirty countries. To mark the series’ tenth anniversary, Simon & Schuster is reissuing the books with all-new covers by Tony DiTerlizzi.
The Spiderwick Chronicles 10th Anniversary Edition
Barrington Books will have all the new editions on hand at the event, along with several others of the authors’ bestselling titles.
To accommodate the large audience that is expected for the SPIDERWICK event, the presentation and book signing will be held in an event space adjacent to the store. For more information, please call Barrington Books at 401-245-7925.
Next, story hour fans who enjoy listening to read-alouds from host Margie Reed in the store’s beautiful children’s book section every Thursday at 10am, will get a special treat on Thursday, May 16th. Mary Jane Begin, author and illustrator of the new picture book: MY LITTLE PONY: UNDER THE SPARKLING SEA and many other award-winning titles, will read her new book and do a special MY LITTLE PONY drawing demonstration for the kids.
The store’s week-long celebration concludes with a Middle Grade Authors Night featuring readings, signings and Q&A with four award-winning children’s novelists on Friday, May 17th from 6:30-8pm.
This year’s fabulous Middle Grade Author Panel includes:
Kimberly Newton Fusco author of BEHOLDING BEE
Kimberly Newton Fusco is the author of BEHOLDING BEE and two other novels, TENDING TO GRACE and THE WONDER OF CHARLIE ANNE, both of which garnered many accolades. TENDING TO GRACE received the American Library Association’s Schneider Family Book Award and a starred review in Booklist. THE WONDER OF CHARLIE ANNE was an ALA Amelia Bloomer Selection and a Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year. In a starred review, Kirkus wrote: “Good humor, kindness and courage triumph in this warm, richly nuanced novel that cheers the heart like a song sweetly sung.”
Before becoming a novelist, Ms. Fusco was an award-winning reporter and editor for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. She lives in Foster, Rhode Island, with her family. You can visit her on the Web at kimberlynewtonfusco.com.
Lynda Mullaly Hunt, author of ONE FOR THE MURPHYS
Lynda Mullaly Hunt is the author of middle-grade novel, ONE FOR THE MURPHYS (Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin), winner of The Tassy Walden Award: New Voices in Children’s Literature. She is also a former teacher and Scenario Writing coach. Lynda has been Director of the SCBWI-NE Whispering Pines Retreat for six years. Her second novel, ALPHABET SOUP is due out from the same publisher in spring, 2014. Lynda lives with her husband, two kids, impetuous beagle and beagle-loathing cat. You can visit her on the Web at http://lyndamullalyhunt.com.
Ammi-Joan Paquette, author of NOWHERE GIRL
Ammi-Joan (A.J.) Paquette is the author of NOWHERE GIRL (Walker, 2011), and THE TIPTOE GUIDE TO TRACKING MERMAIDS (Tanglewood, 2012), as well as the forthcoming novels PARADOX (Random House, 2013) and RULES FOR GHOSTING (Walker, 2013), and the picture book GHOST IN THE HOUSE (Candlewick, 2013). She is also a literary agent with Erin Murphy Literary Agency, representing children’s and YA authors. She lives outside of Boston with her family and her very tall to-read pile. You can visit her on the Web at http://www.ajpaquette.com
Kristen Tracy, author of THE REINVENTION OF BESSICA LEFTER
Kristen Tracy writes books for teens, tweens and young readers as well as poetry for adults. Her other novels for middle grade readers include CAMILLE MCPHEE FELL UNDER THE BUS, BESSICA LEFTER BITES BACK and TOO COOL FOR THIS SCHOOL (forthcoming, August 2013). She has also written several novels for teens/ young adults including LOST IT, A FIELD GUIDE FOR HEARTBREAKERS and SHARKS & BOYS. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island with her husband and young son. You can visit her on the Web at http://www.kristentracy.com.
Panel moderator: Alyisha Foley
Alyisha Foley graduated from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, where she majored in English Literature. She’s been in the library field for 5 years and now works as the Assistant Children’s Librarian at the Abbot Public Library in Marblehead, MA. Her responsibilities include leading a weekly Story Hour; making realistic animal noises; knowing about the inner mechanics of glue sticks & googly eyes; providing glitter for the masses; and helping kids from infancy to 6th grade develop a lifelong passion for reading. Alyisha recently adopted an über-intelligent rabbit named Moxie Crimefighter. Moxie writes a Book Review blog for (juvenile) adults called “The Pooka Picks” at http://thepookapicks.wordpress.com. She reviews Middle Grade novels, as well as Young Adult & Adult Literature. If you’re looking for your next great read, Moxie can help you out. She has impeccable taste.
Visit Barrington Books at 184 County Road in Barrington or online at barringtonbooks.com.
