As you know if you’ve been looking around my blog, I was thrilled to go to Rochester this past weekend for the Rochester Children’s Book Festival. I got to do a presentation for the local SCBWI group there on Thursday night, wrote in my hotel room all day Friday on my NF WIP and then spent Saturday talking to book crazy people – the best kind of crazy, no?

YES!

It was insane, to continue with the crazy thing. Thousands of people came by my table with stacks of books in their arms. Kids asked fun (and funny, in that kid kind of way) questions and went to great presentations and by the end of the day, all the authors, illustrators, booksellers, and fabulous volunteers were exhausted in that wonderful, we-worked-hard-for-a-good-reason-and-it-feels-very-satisfying kind of way.

I will post a blog on Wednesday to go along with the wackadoodle podcast I recorded up there. I didn’t get to talk to everyone because, well, I was working, they were working, and sometimes you just don’t want to intrude by pushing a mic in someone’s face! But because of that, I didn’t get to speak to everyone. I did have great convos with David Soman, illustrator of the NYT bestseller, Ladybug Girl, and Paul O. Zelinsky, and Michelle Knudsen, as well as Elizabeth Bluemle and Cinda Chima, and Daniel J. Mahoney. I have to edit it and listen – I may have even talked to more people! So stay tuned for Wednesday!

One person I really regret not getting on tape is London Ladd. His art is stunning. He has two books out, and let me tell you right now, right here: this guy is going to be H.U.G.E. The art isn’t only beautiful…it has a depth that struck me, and he explains a little of how he gets that in the video I stole borrowed from his web site. Do not miss the great shots of his sketchbook, below, which he brings everywhere, and had on display.

I highly recommend his books, and I also hope Oprah sees this post and gives him an entire show while she touts the gorgeousness of his art!

Hand of author and book store owner Elizabeth Bluemle!