I was so happy Canary in the Coal Mine got to represent West Virginia at the National Book Festival this weekend in the Pavilion of States. Here’s a breakdown in pictures.
Me with my canary.
Authors Wendy Shang and Kathy Erskine
Me with Kathy Erskine. Yay, Virginia authors!
The librarians gave away 7 cases of these bird whistles, which worked exceptionally well for little pieces of plastic. (Add water to make them work.)
- With Meg Medina and AB Westrick, organizers of Teen ’13 in Richmond. Meg represented Virginia at the book festival with Tia Isa Wants a Car. Anne just published Brotherhood.
Kathy in the spirit with these book earrings
Not great light but great librarians: Hannah Wilkes, Suzy McGinley, Susan and Elizabeth stamped and stood and talked books all day.
Canary in the Coal Mine. Miner's hat made of duct tape, half a hackey sack, and LED. He was often mistaken for a chicken or a duck. Or, to quote the younger kids, DUCKY!
When it's raining at the end of the day, the table skirt offers protection AND lets Hannah and Suzy make a bold fashion statement.
And now for some words:
During breaks I saw:
Jon Klassen: Deadpan, humble, hilarious.
Matt and Jennifer Holm: Energetic, chock full of contagious enthusiasm. We have a Babymouse fan in the house, but everyone re-upped when we learned: Matt loves Star Wars, Jenni’s husband designs video games, Jenni’s favorite book growing up was The Black Cauldron.
Monica Brown and Rafael Lopez: Fun, fluid and fabulous.
Best tables at the Pavilion of States (besides West Virginia, of course): Utah! Because the librarian there knew the owner of the restaurant that was last featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. And because they gave away salt. And New York. Because it had Rocco Staino.
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