Speaking Volumes

Last Saturday Su, Carol, and I all went down to NYC for Book Expo America. It was my first time going and I’m excited to share the highlights of my day. Just a warning; you’ll probably be jealous!

Right when I walked into the Children’s area I saw people walking around with advanced copies of Catching Fire, the squeal to The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. I grabbed a stranger and asked her where I could get one and she pointed me in the direction of the Scholastic Booth. I ran over and asked for a copy and they gave me THE LAST ONE! I held it up in the air like a trophy. The day was off to a good start. By the way, I already read it and it is SO good. I liked even better than the Hunger Games, too bad I have to wait now for the third in the series. Catching Fire will be out in September.

Soon after that I got a signed copy of Swing, by Rufus Butler Seder. He makes scanimation picture books where the images look like they are moving across the page – very cool. We own both Gallop and Swing and he has a new one called Waddle coming out soon. 

Later on I met Youme Landowne, the co-writer/illustrator of Pitch Black, a new graphic novel. I had read a lot about Pitch Black before it came out, so I ordered it for the library and read it when it came in. She was very nice, and now I have my own signed copy!

 In the afternoon I went to a panel discussion called ‘Hot Fall Graphic Novels for Libraries.’ I am VERY happy I went. The panel was great; really funny and very convincing. I left wanting to purchase every single book they talked about!  A few to be on the lookout for:

  

Stitches: A Memoir, by David Small – by far the most promoted one; I will definitely be getting this one!

Binky the Space Cat, by Ashley Spires

The Umbrella Academy: Dallas, by Way and Ba

After this panel discussion, I ran upstairs to the Dark Horse Booth and got the last copy of Umbrella Academy – score!

I can't wait for next year!!