Bogs, Beans, Books, and Bovines

 Like Christy and Stephanie, I had a full summer packed with lots of book-related events.

 In June, while I was in Bemidji, Minnesota for their annual Book Festival, I visited Joe Rossi who was the photographer for my book Minnesota's Hidden Alphabet. He took me out for a "Bog Walk" on his property where I saw incredible plants, including these gorgeous lady slippers.

 

Super Librarian Kim Faurot and her husband Brad hosted their annual Butterfly Birthday Party, which included besides an incredible display of food, a children's book-themed treasure hunt, butterfly craft projects, and a marionette show.

 I read stories and drew pictures for kids in their PJs on trolleys in Minneapolis and Excelsior.

 Excelsior Bay Books ran a citywide "Find the Mean Green Beans" contest, similar to the "Where's Waldo" events run in other cities, but they used my book "How Martha Saved Her Parents from Green Beans" as their theme.

 

Red Balloon Bookshop hosted the publication party for "Arlo's ARTrageous Adventure!" the first picture book that I both wrote and illustrated. That's me with bookshop owner Holly Weinkauf. I owe Spud Christy Hale many thanks for inspiring me to come up with fun publication party ideas. 

My summer ended with two days spent at the Minnesota State Fair. One day was at Debra Frasier's "Alphabet Forest," a magical place celebrating books and literacy, where I helped kids make Wanted Posters for the food of their choice. The other day was spent with friend and illustrtor Mike Wohnoutka, where our soon-to-be-released picture book MOO! was featured as the Story Walk. Fair goers could read each page of the book posted on large signs, similar to the old Burma Shave road signs. That's Mike and me in the Moo Building (yes, that's the actual name of the building!) with an accommodating cow named "Buckle Up" (and yes, that's her actual name; when you see the book, you'll realize how apt that is!).

Whew! What a grand summer!