Hello, and happy fall, all! Have you moved those sweaters and jackets out of the shadows of your closet? I’m on the verge of doing so… haven’t just yet. But our fall wheels are in motion in other ways! October brings the book birthday of my second picture book, WILLOW AND BUNNY, illustrated by Christopher Denise. Publication day is Oct. 10 - and author copies are here!
Reviews are coming in, and they have been so kind and moving. It’s a wild feeling, when you learn that something that’s lived in your imagination has reached and touched others. Here’s one of my favorite reviews from Booklist (America Library Association):
Starting Oct. 10, WILLOW AND BUNNY will be out of boxes and onto shelves. And I’m super excited to share that this title is going on tour! I absolutely cannot wait to share the book of my heart with you in book events and in-store signings, near and far. If you happen to be somewhere along the book tour path, I hope you can make it!
Below, you’ll find details for each book event. You’ll notice that some events have happened, while others are still coming into focus. As additional info becomes available, I’ll be sure to update the post. But for now, here are post-event pics and all the details I presently have!
Book Tour
Oct. 2 - AISLE Conference, Champaign IL
On a gorgeous fall Monday, I traveled south to Champaign, IL, for the AISLE Conference at iHotel and Conference Center. I spent the morning and lunch among Illinois school library educators, I got the opportunity to share about DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by Ziyue Chen, as well as WILLOW AND BUNNY. I loved hearing what elements of the stories school educators thought would most resonate with their students, and how they imagine that the text and art might come alongside their students (… and children and grandchildren!) in their futures. It was my first time getting to talk about characters Willow and Bunny in extended conversations, and now I’m even more excited than ever for the events planned for the coming weeks and months! For more information about AISLE, click HERE!
Saturday, Oct. 14 - Harvey's Tales, Geneva IL
Rainy weather brought us inside for the coziest most heart-topping book launch event ever at Harvey’s Tales bookstore in Geneva, IL. So many Willows in one room! My parents, husband, my sister, my very best friends, plus babysitters who have come alongside us when we’ve needed big-time support. It was an incredible day - and one that this Bunny will never, ever forget. Thank you Harvey’s Tales hosting this special day for your friendship all these years. Just love you!
Sunday, Oct. 22 - The Bookworm, Omaha NE
Sending a huge thank you to The Bookworm in Omaha for hosting a Sunday afternoon story time of WILLOW AND BUNNY! It was lovely spending time with Nebraska readers - from dear family and friends, to a fellow author and Metamorphosis Literary Agency sister Heather Dawn Torres. I also had the pleasure of meeting a young writer with more than 30 manuscripts under her belt. (I can’t wait to read your books one day, Agnes!) PS: The Bookworm’s children’s room is magic. My girls each picked out a book to bring home - our fall reads are good to go! Hope many are able to support them and shop local this holiday season!
Saturday, Nov. 4 - Main Street Books, St. Charles MO
On a cobblestone street, within a row of historic buildings, is the most enchanting bookstore: Main Street Books of St. Charles, MO. If you’ve never been to Main Street, you absolutely must. (I can only image how magical it is during the holiday season!) Sharing a book of my heart in such a picturesque, charming and cozy shop was truly author-dream-come true material. Thank you, Main Street Books, for hosting such a beautiful afternoon signing. And many thanks to our friends from Mizzou and Rolla for making time on a busy fall Saturday to come see me and my family and support the book!
Saturday, Nov. 11 - Greenlight Bookstore, Brooklyn NY
This sunny Saturday morning, I had the honor of reading WILLOW AND BUNNY at a story time in Brooklyn at Greenlight Bookstore. Bringing our book all the way to the East Coast to this exciting and beloved neighborhood was very special. Absolutely a pinch-me moment. Thank you to those who visited, snuggled up to our story, and brought a copy home to love!
Friday, Dec. 8 - Logan Square Branch of Chicago Public Library, Chicago IL
Wowza, what a room! The energy was through the roof in these two back-to-back morning story time presentations at the Logan Square Branch of the Chicago Public Library. My partner for the morning? The utterly fantastic Astrid Kamalyan, author of the new critically acclaimed and celebrated picture book BABO: A TALE OF ARMENIAN RUG-WASHING DAY. (It is seriously amazing, please check it out.). This event had it all - folk songs, jingle bells, bubbles. PS: It is hard to follow bubbles! I learned a lot, on the fly, about how incorporating gestures for Willow’s actions can spark the imagination and participation of the very youngest of readers!
Saturday, Jan. 20 - The Literary, Champaign IL
3:30 p.m. story time, followed by signing line.
The Literary, 122 N. Neil St., Champaign IL
Pre-order (if possible!) by emailing The Literary at hello@literarybookbar.com or calling 217-954-1500.
If picking up a signed copy at the Jan. 20 event, please note this in your message to the booksellers.
You may have noticed a recurrent reminder and heartfelt plea: If you are able to order WILLOW AND BUNNY from these stores, or the bookstore nearest you, please do! Local bookstores need our support to survive and thrive, and they will order a copy of any book we want or need, at anytime… if we just ask!
Want to learn a bit more about how this book came to be? Or would you like to read about creative process and book making?
Some fabulous book bloggers and new book friends will kindly be featuring WILLOW AND BUNNY on their blogs in the coming weeks and months! As they publish, I’ll share the links below:
Oct. 18 - The Backstory
Read the interview HERE!
Oct. 27 - Picture Book Builders
Read the interview HERE!
Dec. 1 - First Draft Friday
Read the interview HERE!
Dec. 4 - Simply 7
Read the interview HERE!
Upcoming blog post…
Feb. 24: Writers’ Rumpus
WILLOW AND BUNNY has been coming for sooooo long! Thank you for asking about it and reading about the different moments in the journey, along the way! I hope it finds its way into your local libraries and hearts - and perhaps into the home libraries of the littles in your life this upcoming holiday season!
Wishing you well and so hoping to see you at one of this fall’s book launch events. If you have any questions about them, please don’t hesitate to reach out!