It’s really hard to believe that children’s book legends Katherine Paterson and Michael Rosen will both be at The Carle, together, presenting at our annual Eductator’s Night, but it’s true! This Wednesday, November 10, 2010 from 4:00-6:00 pm in our Auditorium. Excuse me while I gush, but the chance to meet such amazing authors is a dream come true for me!
I grew up reading so many of Katherine Paterson’
s books and I was particularly captivated by her book Lyddie (which spurred a trip to the Lowell mills where I got to try my hand at weaving cloth and pretend I was Lyddie. I was a total historical fiction buff as a kid). Keeping up with our tradition of hosting the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature (Jon Sceiszka graced us with his medal-wearing presence two years ago), Katherine Paterson will be talking about her own journey through publishing and discuss the importance of reading.
But that’s not all! Oh no. No, no, no. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, Michael
Rosen, the former Children’s Laureate of the United Kingdom, is flying all the way across the pond to join Katherine. Most Americans know Michael through his popular version of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. Michael is a master of rhythm and poetry and his books make wonderful read-alouds. Here’s a great video I found of Michael reciting We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
He’s a true natural story teller and, I hear, hysterically funny in person as well!
The event is free, as part of our annual Educator’s Night (click here for more info) and so it’s no surprise that it is already sold out. (Call 413-658-1126 to be put on a waiting list).
But even if you can’t attend, we’d still love to send you a signed book. We’re accepting pre-orders online until Tuesday November 9, 2010 for autographed copies of any of Katherine Paterson or Michael Rosen’s books. Place your order now and we’ll get them signed by the authors and shipped to you after the event on Wednesday. And be sure to check out the other amazing authors who’ll be coming to The Carle in November in our new “To Be Autographed” section on our Shop website.
We were lucky enough to host previous ambassador, Jon Scieszka, here at The Carle for an educator appreciation night and booksigning last year. Scieszka had teachers and librarians howling in their seats with stories of his own teaching days and childhood memories while Mo Willems doodled cariactures of him in the audience. And in case you were wondering, yes, Scieszka really did wear his ambassador medal the whole time.
