Adventures in Aventura!

My last event of the season was a doozy!

It's not every day one gets to hang out with FLY GUY and call it "work."

Lisa Blair, president of the Miami-Dade Family Learning Partnership worked with Aventura Mall to create a SIX-hour event called The Book Shop.

We arrived the night before and were greeted by this in our hotel room . . .

A lovely gift basket, filled with all the essentials, including Sharpies, bottles of water and Mint Milano cookies.

When we went out to dinner, we found these signs all over the mall . . .

Riley Roam, Me and Janeen Mason near a sign, advertising the big event

And what an event it was!  There were books galore and authors -- Cheryl Holder, Lisa McCourt, Janeen Mason, Riley Roam, me and Lucia Gonzalez!

Lisa McCourt and Riley Roam

Janeen Mason and her assistant, Lin

And there were some real characters there, too . . .

Hi, Madeline!

And what's a book event without a giant dragon . . .

reading a giant book?!

The fun never stopped with the dynamic duo of PAGE TURNER ADVENTURES.  They emceed the entire event and provided stellar entertainment for over six hours!

They also performed THE GREAT PIZZA CONTEST . . .

One unsuspecting audience member wore a very interesting wig!

And the OLIVIA BEAN TRIVIA CONTEST . . .

I got to be scorekeeper and only cheated a little.  It was for the children!

 The best part was the endless stream of families, celebrating reading adventures together!

Thank you Lisa Blair, Miami-Dade Family Learning Partnership, Aventura Mall and MANY hard-working employees and volunteers for creating such a fun event and for allowing me to help celebrate a love for literature!  Thanks a million to my handsome hubby, who helped out in many ways throughout the event.

Happy summer reading, everyone!

Even you, Fly Guy . . .

Guest Blogger -- Hammy the Hamster

In honor of Hammy's world-famous YouTube video hitting over 30,000 views, I invited him to create today's blog post.  Take it away, Hammy!

I'm Hammy the Hamster.  That's me on the cover of How to Survive Middle School, written by What's-Her-Name.  She's busy writing her new novel, so she asked me to write today's post.  And she's not even paying me.  Cheapskate!  And I don't even have fingers.  Just really cute paws.

Anyway, here I am in this video created by the awesome team at Page Turner Adventures.

"I'd like to thank my mom and dad and my 17 brothers and sisters and--"

"Ahem, Hammy, could you please get back to the post?"

"Sure.  Sorry."  Bossy writer lady!

Because I LOVE books about hamsters (They're DELICIOUS!), I wanted to let you know about some other hamster books I think are yummy, er, super fun to read . . .

Try Betty Birney's Humphrey books.  Check out the entire series . . .

Also, there's the I, Freddy series by Dietlof Reiche . . .

Need a dose of pun fun?  Try Bruce Hale's Chet Gecko mystery series book, The Hamster of the Baskervilles . . .

You might even like The Great Hamster Massacre by Katie Davies about, gulp, hamster homicide.  I don't!!!  Even the cover gives this hamster hives.

Rev your engines for the awesome Hot Rod Hamster by Cynthia Lord . . .

Cynthia Lord has some cute photos of her guinea pig, Cookie, on her blog. 

I like guinea pigs.  They're funky!

And this video (for Scholastic Book Fairs) by Page Turner Adventures proves it . . .

"Now, I'm going to recite for you my 12-page hamster ode that I created to--"

"Say good-bye, Hammy."

"Good-bye, Hammy."

SOME FUN THAT IS FUNNY . . .

As an antidote to this ceaseless rain we've been having and my last blog post, here are 6-1/2 THINGS ABOUT WRITING THAT ARE FUN:

1.  Meet my co-workers . . .

2.  And my Secretary of Silliness, Teddy, and his assistant, who was feeling rather sheepish . . .

3.  Some days, I get to work with incredibly talented professionals, like the amazing people at Page Turner Adventures.  And they create a video that includes:  a rapping/dancing hamster, a funky guinea pig, syncronized dancing mice and a hip bubbe . . .  (And it's still work.  Shh.  Don't tell anyone.)

 

4.  Stuck on a YA story idea?  Worry no more!  David Lubar and Dian Curtis Regan have created this hilarious STORY GENERATOR.  (Hurry over and create your next masterpiece.)

5.  Ernie from Sesame Street has written his masterpiece on a typewriter . . .  (Poor Bert.)

6.  And of course, for those having trouble with limericks -- Because who doesn't have a little limerick trouble every now and again? --  there's this video about limericks (written in limericks) . . .

6-1/2.  But the FUNNIEST thing I can share with you -- the thing that inspired me to write this post today -- is this HILARIOUS look at The Publishing Process in GIF Form by Nathan Bransford. Thanks, Nathan, for being a bright spot during a very rainy day!

Now, go be FUNderful . . .

FUN at the St. Lucie County Family Reading Festival

When my friend, Sylvia Andrews, picked me up for the St. Lucie County Family Reading Festival, we were prepared for one thing:  RAIN!  Forecast was for thunderstorms and possible tornadoes.

Turns out the forecast should have been for FUN! 

Miss Frizzle, me and Clifford

At the Digital Domain baseball stadium, where the event was held, a line of parents with eager kids stretched farther than I could see, waiting for the gates to open.

Sylvia and I set up our table at Authors Alley and spent the next few hours watching and chatting with an endless stream of families, teachers and librarians.

When there was a break in the crowd, I was able to snap this photo of Authors Alley

Next to our table was a 22-year-old young man who had written three novels.  Across from us were two fourth grade authors and their teacher.  The profits from their book went to help the sea turtles.  (Yes, Sylvia and I each bought autographed copies.)  And there were a bazillion (or maybe fewer) authors/illustrators, including our talented friend, Janeen Mason.  Did you see her lovely picture book,  GIFT OF THE MAGPIE?

Here's Janeen with hand-made magpie pins on her collars

 

 

Our dear friend and talented author, Carole Crowe, showed up.

Author, Carole Crowe

The stream of kids seemed endless, and we loved it!

Here's a young reader checking out Sylvia's FUNTASTIC picture book, RATTLEBONE ROCK.  If you love Halloween and fun rhyme and rhythm, this book is for you!

Checking out Rattlebone Rock by Sylvia Andrews

Nate the Great made an appearance, although I'm so dang old I thought he was Encyclopedia Brown.

Sylvia and Nate the Great

I got to do some serious sleuthing, too.

Donna and Nate the Great

There was so much going on at the festival:  author panels, a full day of entertainment onstage by the dynamic duo of Riley Roam and Kenny Mikey of Page Turner Adventures, puppet theater, Scholastic book fair, a FREE book exchange so every child could leave with free books, author signings, character sightings, student performances, a concession stand, Mother Goose corner, giveaways, goodie bags for each child who entered and so much more!

The children who stopped by to chat and tell me about themselves or the books they loved just humbled me.  One boy held the book I'd just autographed for him and said, "This is my first book I've ever had signed by an author."  The look in his eyes made my day!  A woman told me the saddest story of a young friend of hers who was being bullied in fifth grade.  She asked me to sign How to Survive Middle School for him because it's a story of being bullied and learning to survive.  Coincidentally, her young friend's name was David, just like the main character in my story.  I wrote a message of support and hope for the real David.  I hope the fictional David helps him.

I got to meet Crystal and her mother.  Crystal, looking much more grown up, had posed for this picture during a school visit I did early this year at Manatee Academy.

Crystal, my author escort, rockin' a pair of red sunglasses.

I loved chatting with the kids who wanted to be writers and the adults who did, too.  It was heartening to see so much community support and so much enthusiasm for books and reading.  This festival gave a powerful message to the young people who attended:  READING MATTERS TO US!

Geronimo Stilton surprises a young reader.

Debbie Remington, President of the St. Lucie County Reading Council, is a wonder.  She's the powerhouse behind this amazing festival.  I can't thank her enough for inviting me into the fold of this vibrant community! 

Donna and Debbie Remington, Media Specialist at Manatee Academy and Pres. St. Lucie County Reading Council

And a big thank you to the teachers, librarians and students who volunteered and worked so hard to make this an absolutely FANTABULOUS event!

Turns out the weather was perfect, after all.

See you all next year!

8 Best Things About Miami Book Fair International

1.  That I finally got there after living in South Florida for 15 years and wanting to go.  (It's only 1-1/2 hours away.)

2.  Got to spend the entire day with Hubby because, by some miracle, neither of us were traveling for work, attending a meeting or driving our kids somewhere. 

3.  The weather.  Gorgeous Saturday, even though it poured buckets the previous day.

4.  Arrived just in time to see our good friends, Riley and Kenny, of Page Turner Adventures, perform "The Great Pizza Contest," based on Riley's book.  After they finished performing and emceeing the children's stage for the day, we joined them for a delicious Cuban dinner on Biscayne Bay. 

5.  Finally heard the guys who make being a book nerd cool -- The Rock Bottom Remainders.  Dave Barry rocked out, his brother Sam Barry played a mean harmonica, Ridley Pearson sang with soul and the whole band got a huge audience dancing to "Mustang Sally." 

6.  We even got to hear a Chinese orchestra play Jingle Bells.

7.  Dave Barry introduced the one author/comedian we saw -- Andy Borowitz.  Hubby loves his Borowitz Report and his very funny tweets, so we bought his new book and listened to his presentation.  Funniest dude around!  Laughed the entire time.

8.  But for me, the best part of the Miami Book Fair was meeting this guy . . .

Papa Bear

When our kids were little, they LOVED the Berenstain Bear books so much so that we all acted out the parts.  Hubby got to be Papa Bear.  I, of course, was Mama Bear.  Oldest son played Brother Bear.  And our younger son got stuck playing Sister Bear.  

Sending Your Child, er, Book Into the World

When someone asks which of my books is my favorite, I say, "That's a little like asking me to choose which of my children I like best."

My books are a bit like my children. I put time, energy and heart into them and send them into the world, hoping mightily, but having no idea what will happen next.

In fact, How to Survive Middle School, was inspired by the tough times our children had during those turbulent adolescent years. (And memories of my, ahem, challenging adolescence.)

This book seems to have struck a chord with readers.

I just found out How to Survive Middle School will be St. Lucie County's "One Book/One Community" for the 2011/2012 school year. I'll be speaking at a number of events and schools throughout the year. My favorite part is that my publisher, Random House, has generously agreed to donate books to a shelter for abused women and children and to donate books to lower income families in a "Read it Forward" program, where participants read the book then share it with another family.

A world of appreciation to the St. Lucie County Reading Council, for inviting me to participate. And for their dedicated, passionate work to connect children and literature in fun, meaningful ways.

Donna and Debbie Remington, media specialist and president, St. Lucie County Reading Council

I'm thrilled that How to Survive Middle School has been nominated for the New York State Reading Association 2012 Charlotte Award. The committee chose ten books in four categories from hundreds and hundreds of books. It's an honor to be on this list!

And my book will be featured at Scholastic Book Fairs this fall. My friends from Page Turner Adventures are making a hilarious video (about a rapping hamster) that will be shown to middle school students before they browse the book fair. And this fun sneak preview, which includes my book, has been sent to educators and media specialists across the country.

My books aren't the only things I'm sending out into the world.

Yesterday, hubby and I toured the college campus where our oldest son will attend school next year. It was so exciting to hear about the opportunities he'll be given. We are really proud of him for getting to this point.




And we're really happy that How to Survive Middle School is doing so well because -- HOLY HIGHER EDUCATION! -- college sure ain't cheap.

APRIL IS FOR AUTHORS

Helen Zientek and Sue Sloan are the masterminds behind the awesome event APRIL IS FOR AUTHORS.

These two hard-working women and a host of volunteers brought over twenty authors and illustrators together for a fantastic event for the community.



There were panel discussions, author talks, technology talks, book signings, fun activities for the kids and shows by Page Turner Adventures.

I was fortunate to hear Edward Bloor's talk. I loved his novel, Tangerine.


Chris Crutcher was there and Alex Flinn and Doug Wilhelm and so many others.

I enjoyed meeting media specialists, librarians, teachers, administrators and kids.

Such enthusiastic kids!

This is Abigail with Hammy. She told me she LOVES reading.

Haley told me she loves books. Actual books. Not e-book readers.

Abigail and Haley and the other kids and their families who came up to my table reminded me exactly why I do what I do.

Thank you Helen and Sue and all the wonderful people who made the very first April is for Authors a successful event that connected readers to authors and authors to their readers!

IT'S HERE! AND IT'S HAMMY TIME!!!

Meet HAMMY -- the little star in my new novel, HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL. In the book, David creates a funny video starring his hamster, Hammy, and it becomes a YouTube sensation.

Thanks to the creative minds at Page Turner Adventures, Hammy is now the star of his own MUSIC VIDEO for you to enjoy!

(Warning: You might find yourself humming the tune for the next few hours . . . and smiling.)




Also, thanks to Chris Baty of NaNoWriMo for posting this Q & A on his blog.

BOOKMANIA!

Big top thanks to Jennifer Salas, uber-librarian at the Blake Library in Stuart, for inviting me to participate in Bookmania (pdf file) last weekend!

This was the second weekend in a row that I participated in a literary event with a Big Top theme. Strange coincidence, but fun.

To begin the Friday night party, Kenny Mikey juggled, while green-haired Riley Roam greeted guests from atop stilts. "Hello, down there!" she said. There were dog acts and people acts and tiny hamburgers and hot dogs served on tiny trays. Cartoons played on the ceiling while people mingled and met the dozens of authors participating in the event.

The celebration honored the late Phil Kavanaugh (Mr. Funnybones), a man who was instrumental in bringing arts and amazing performers to the Blake Library in Stuart and a sense of joy wherever he went. Hubby and I had the pleasure of meeting his lovely wife, Meg, who is working on a new project to involve kids in doing meaningful work to help the environment.

We also met Annie Barrows, the author of the adult book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and the children's book series, Ivy and Bean.

The next morning launched the main event -- Bookmania (pdf file)!

Authors' talks were so well-received that there was an overflow room with a TV to accommodate the huge number of book lovers in attendance.

Upstairs, Kidsmania took center stage -- a mixture of author talks and performances that had kids cheering. Suzy Hammer, aka The Bookworm, performed magic, told stories and did a fabulous job hosting the day's events.

Marianne Berkes read from her picture book, Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme, and let children hear the sounds the animals made in her books.

Jan Day donned cowboy hat and whip and read from her book, Kissimmee Pete and the Hurricane: A Tall Tale.

Here's a photo of Janeen Mason, showing the children how she draws. She then let the young artists create their own masterpieces.



Then I told stories about my childhood that lead me on a crooked path to become a children's book author. After reading a section from my book that features a certain California governor -- Arnold Schwarzenegger, I signed books for the children . . . and a few adults.


Then Riley Roam and Kenny Mikey performed their interactive, audience-participation show, The Great Pizza Contest and signed copies of their new book -- The Great Pizza Contest. Riley's mom, Fyllis Nadler, created the illustrations for the fun new book.

Cathy Supran, second grade teacher at Jupiter Farms Elementary, is a big fan of Page Turner Adventures' school shows. Here's Cathy and baby Thomas with performer Kenny Mikey.


It was an honor to be part of such a wonderful event. If you couldn't make it this year, mark your calendars for next year.

And whether you're clowning around this weekend or not, here's hoping you have loads of fun!

All best,
Donna