Where We've Been


CLN members are active in the children's literature community, taking part in readings, public appearances, school visits, conferences, fund-raising activities, committee work to enhance reading and literacy efforts, and sometimes just having fun together. This is a gallery of "where we've been."
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		Author and poet Nikki Grimes shared her new book, Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope, at a CLN Conversation on July 11th. Looking at the galley with illustrations by Bryan Collier, and listening to Nikki read out loud, members were able to ask questions about the way this book was created. Nikki also talked about book promotion, which participants found fascinating. Pictured, clockwise around the table starting in the lower right: Heather Bouwman, Laura Salas, Loretta Ellsworth, Jane Hoffman, Nikki Grimes, Faythe Thureen. (posted 22 July 08)

		Author Margo Sorenson visited North Dakota to talk with them about her book, Tori and the Sleigh of Midnight Blue, which is set in their state. This particular visit took place at a book-signing fund raiser for the Sons of Norway Lodge, in Maddock, North Dakota on July 5th! No wonder everyone is so red, white, and blue ... which are also the colors of the Norwegian flag. (posted 17 July 08)

		CLN members (from l. to r.) Joni Kreuser, John Coy, Wendy Behrens, and Charlie Leonard take part in a discussion of the themes in John Coy's latest novel, Box Out (Scholastic), in mid-June. John had many tales to regale the breakfast bunch about writing a novel with a sports theme. (posted on 23 June 2008)

		Natalie M. Rosinsky (at far left in the white sweater) spoke with members of SCBWI's Germany chapter in Munich on Mother's Day, May 10th. She remarked to them that it was fitting to nurture artistic creativity on that holiday because parenting so often drains as well as inspires writers and illustrators of children's books. She had been invited to talk about nonfiction and magazine writing and reports she had fun doing that as well as learning about the children's book business in Europe. This photo is of the tasty luncheon that was part of the afternoon's events. Natalie also kickstarted the critique session that followed her presentation. (posted on 16 June 2008)

		Illustrator Kerry Maguire doesn't have teeth quite as long as the tusks of the very large cat she studied to create the handsome illustrations for Susan E. Goodman's Saber-Toothed Cats (Millbrook Press). She hunted for this skull to make sure she understood the structure and musculature of the cat's face. (posted on 4 June 2008)

		At the Belmont Picture Book Festival, CLN member Anne Broyles signs her newest book, Priscilla and the Hollyhocks (Charlesbridge). Based on the true story of slaves who were sold to the Cherokees and walked the Trail of Tears, this is ultimately a tale of hope. Many of those who had Anne sign their books wanted to know about the basis for the story. (posted on May 28, 2008)

		Literacy Leaders Event In early April, John Coy, Marsha Qualey, and Julie Bowe signed book at the Literacy Leaders Event in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The brainchild of Lucianne Boardman, students in Eau Claire wrote to their favorite authors and illustrators to ask if they would contribute a square to the Friendship Quilt these readers and book lovers were stitching together. They received so many squares that there will be more than one quilt! We've held the quilt in our hands and it's a thing of beauty. CLN members, look for an article about this event in the upcoming CLN member magazine. (posted May 16 2008)

		Cambridge Science Festival On May 3, children's book authors who write about science gathered for a full day's worth of presentations at the Cambridge Public Library in Massachusetts. L to r: CLN member Loree Griffin Burns, Leslie Bulion, Susan E. Goodman, Houghton Mifflin Associate Editor Erica Zappy, Jeannine Atkins, CLN member Melissa Stewart, John Himmelman. Not pictured: Lita Judge. Books were sold by Porter Square Books. The event was part of the Cambridge Science Festival. (posted May 10 2008)

		At the most recent Texas Library Association conference in mid-April, CLN members Barbara O'Connor, Linda Sue Park, and Gennifer Choldenko had some time to catch up on news and laughter. (posted Apr 29 2008)

		Kerry Madden, author of the Maggie Valley trilogy of books, Gentle's Holler, Louisiana's Song, and Jessie's Mountain (Viking), surrounded by the gunslingers at Ghost Town in the Sky, located in the real Maggie Valley in North Carolina. (posted Apr 8 2008)

		Children's graphic novelist Gareth Hinds (standing, left); Candlewick Marketing Director Jennifer Roberts, Melissa Stewart (far right), CLN member and author of When Rain Falls (Peachtree), Timothy Basil Ering signing Necks Out for Adventure (Candlewick), and Sarah Brannen (back, right) signing Uncle Bobby's Wedding (Putnam). They are at the Belmont, Massachusetts book signing. (posted Apr 1 2008)

		CLN members Julie Reimer, Steve Palmquist, and Sue Wolslegel (back row) had fun meeting and experiencing the intriguing presentation given by author/ illustrator Denise Fleming at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin, on March 13-5, 2008. As one of the two featured illustrators in their biennial children's book illustration exhibit, Denise Fleming had kids and parents in stitches while she shared how she finds her stories and makes her books. Ms. Fleming is a paper pulp artist, making the illustrations on each page from a slurry of cotton fibers, water, and pigment, shaping them with the aid of forms she creates and a tremendous amount of ingenuity and artistry. (posted Mar 25 2008)

		A big thanks to author Natalie Rosinsky who made the pilgrimage to London and took these photos of the door on Randolph Caldecott's former residence. One of the earliest book illustrators of books written in English, Caldecott is remembered by the ALA each year with the picture book illustration award, the Caldecott Medal. The two photos at bottom are details of the photo shown at top. We celebrate Randolph Caldecott's birthday on March 22nd—the ways in which he defined book illustration are still admired and emulated today. (posted Mar 21, 2008)

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