A year ago, in-person story times seemed a distant dream.
This summer, that dream is coming true!
So far this year, I’ve had the chance to be a part of three live story time events - a lifelong wish and hope fulfilled. The first was at an inclusive playdate put on by Rising Lights Project at Happy Hooves Farm. (Read about that HERE!) And the second was at Kids Day, a Swedish Days event in Geneva, Ill.
Kids Day was canceled last year, due to Covid. But in early spring of 2021, it looked like the event would be a go. At brainstorming meetings with representatives from the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Geneva Public Library and Rising Lights Project, my wheels started turning with ways to make this year’s Kids Day, planned for the brand new Geneva Public Library site, inclusive and exciting.
There are so many incredible authors within a few-hour’s drive of Geneva, so I reached out to some fellow creator friends to see if they might be willing to come to the library for a morning of story times. Joy of joys, eight said YES, making nine in our Kids Day Story Time group.
We planned to have our event outdoors, but rain moved us in. Nevertheless, the show must go on - and it did, with an incredible crowd!
Patricia Toht read her book DRESS LIKE A GIRL, illustrated by Lorian Tu-Dean.
Norene Paulson read her book WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR?, illustrated by Camila Carrossine.
Sarah Aronson read her book JUST LIKE RUBE GOLDBERG, illustrated by Robert Neubecker.
I read my book DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by Ziyue Chen, which comes out Dec. 1 .
(Available for pre-order HERE!)
Jacob Grant read his book NO PANTS!
Sara Shacter read her book JUST SO WILLOW, illustrated by Stephanie Laberis.
Ruth Spiro read her book MAXINE AND THE GREATEST GARDEN EVER, illustrated by Holly Hatam.
Lori Degman read her book TRAVEL GUIDE FOR MONSTERS, illustrated by Dave Szalay.
And Kira Bigwood read her book SECRET, SECRET AGENT GUY, illustrated by Celia Krampien.
Being in front of readers, and being together, was the absolute best.
And the event gave me the chance to meet my PB Debut Troupe 21 buddy Kira, too!
We are so grateful to all who came out for Kids Day Story Time, including the volunteers who made it possible - my best friends and critique partners Kate Twohig, Heather Klaus and Chaz Baechler.
Many of the authors donated signed copies of their books for a raffle, and the funds raised went toward the donation of TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY, a novel by Kwame Mbalia, for young readers served by Leading with Literacy, my partner for Holiday Book Drive Chi, a book giving event that’s about to enter its 5th year.
Thank you, Geneva Chamber, Geneva Public Library and Rising Lights Project, for supporting and hosting this event - it’s quite is clear from on our faces that the rain couldn’t dampen our book joy.
And thanks, too, to the organizers of Swedish Days Family Fest at Geneva Commons the following day, June 26, and for author friend Norene Paulson for joining me at that event, as well.
Please check out the books shared over the Swedish Days weekend that are noted in this post - at your local indie bookstore, or at your local library - all are excellent. Happy summer reading!