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/

A few months ago, Bridge to Books (Alethea and I are co-founders of this grassroots movement) was approached by Simon & Schuster with the opportunity to do an event with none other than Margaret Peterson Haddix (Missing Series) and Lisa McMann (The Unwanteds).

Seriously, how do you say "no" to this opportunity? Better yet, why would you want to say "no"? I quickly responded "yes". I figured all the details would work themselves out. And they did.

We found a location - Thank you McKinley School in Pasadena for hosting the event in your beautiful library.

Shannon Messenger shares a moment with Lisa McMann

Helen Stringer speaking to the crowd

In speaking with Kelly from Simon & Schuster, our two person panel grew to a foursome when we included debut author, Shannon Messenger (The Keeper of the Lost Cities) and Helen Stringer (Spellbinder).

We had some great questions from the audience.

And our author panelists managed to show great enthusiams in responding to questions despite it being 106 degrees and the library had no air conditioning. Definitely an amazing team of authors.

There was signing of books, and posters, and more books. I am certain at one point Margaret Peterson Haddix thought we were never going to let her leave. With 30 books to her credit, there were piles of books to sign.

Isn't this a lovely Middle Grade Author Panel?

One of the highlights of the event for me was when Margaret read a letter from Jackie, my 11 year old niece who was out of town. In her letter, Jackie credits Margaret's Shadow Children series as kick-starting her love of reading.

Thank you Simon & Schuster and thank you Margaret Peterson Haddix, Lisa McMann, Shannon Messenger, and Helen Stringer for epic wonderful-ness and for delighting an audience of children, parents, teaches, and librarians on one of the hottest days of the year.

Some final thank you's to Kris and Maureen at Once Upon a Time in Montrose for all the book sales; Katie Ferguson for the wonderful photos of the event; and finally, thanks to all the Bridge to Books volunteers who set up, cleaned up, sold bottles of water and made people feel welcomed.

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