Sometimes when I see a book I can't stop thinking about how I would like to do an event around it. In those moments, I let my book event partner in crime, Alethea, in on my thoughts and we see what we can do. When I read Squid & Octopus Friends For Always by Tao Nyeu, I knew I wanted to host an author event with Tao and her book. Alethea picked up on the possible knitting connection and checked to see if Unwind Yarn Store in Burbank would be willing to allow us to use their space for the event. Thank you to Nicole White, Marisa Russell and Penguin Books, for arranging for Tao Nyeu to be apart of this event.

Next, I saw the book Penguin & Pinecone by Salina Yoon. Another great picture book about friendship with a knitting tie-in.

Penguin & Pinecone Official Book Trailer:

Alethea and I brainstormed further. What if Tao and Salina were to do the event together? A few more emails and working out the logistics and now Bridge to Books had knitting related book event with not one but two fabulous authors.

There was yummy food and drinks - thanks Alethea!

And really yummy and special cake pops made by maskipops by adri

Tao created a knitting pattern for the hat that Squid wears in the book.

Salina brought special crafts.

There were even knitting lessons and attendees were able to make scarves for their own pinecones.

Nicole White (Penguin Sales Rep) gets a lesson in knitting from Alethea.

And of course there was storytime...

Tao reads Squid & Octopus.

Salina reads Penguin & Pinecone.

Attendees listen to stories.

There was also a photo op available with Penguin.

Jen Pino with Penguin

And Once Upon a Time in Montrose provided books for sale. Tao and Salina were kept busy signing books for those who came.

Tao and Salina sign books.

Thank you all the Bridge to Books volunteers, Unwind Yarn Store, Once Upon a Time Bookstore, and all the fabulous folks who came out on a rainy Saturday to hang with Tao Nyeu and Salina Yoon. And of course a special thank you for Tao and Salina who came and interacted with everyone and made this a very special event.

Salina Yoon and Tao Nyeu

For more information on upcoming Bridge to Books events, join our mailing list located on http://bridgetobooks.org/

Today, at Unwind (a Yarn store in Burbank and not the dystopian novel by Neal Shusterman), Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen stopped by to celebrate their book Extra Yarn (Balzer & Bray, January 17, 2012). The event was a part of Unwind's celebration of Yarn Crawl LA (a four day, self-guided tour Los Angeles County's Yarn Stores).

Alethea (@frootjoos on twitter) is a knitter and pulled her buddies (Thuy, Kimberley, Alyson, and more) from Bridge to Books into helping with this event. Yeah, twist our arms. We are all big fans of Jon and Mac so it didn't take much to convince us to help.

Alethea kept in the spirit of the story and covered wooden block letters to look like the cover.

Thuy (@fishgirl182) yarnbombed some little houses so they would look like they were pulled right out of the book.

Mac and John signed books, chatted with fans, and entertained young readers who came out to draw and have some fun.

Mac read Extra Yarn to the audience. Don't watch the clip if you don't want to hear the end of the book. However, this was my favorite part since Mac does a great Archduke.

Also, the Extra talented Alethea made yarn inspired cake pops for the event. I wish I had taken a close up of these yummy treats.

I also finally ran into Carter Higgins, a twitter buddy. One of these days, we will also run into each other at Vroman's.

To celebrate today's event, I am giving away a signed copy of Extra Yarn to one lucky person. Please fill out the form to enter. You have until April 21, 2012 to enter to win.

Please note: This post has been crossed posted over at Bridge to Books.

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