Books by the Bay 2012: September 27 in Olympia

Need another reason to head south next weekend? Here's a sure bet:

Books by the Bay 2012

Thursday, September 27 from 5-7pm

Join the South Sound Reading Foundation for a magical evening with award-winning authors, including regional best-selling author Jim Lynch.

Mr. Lynch will read from his new book, Truth Like the Sun. Other authors and illustrators include: Judy Bentley, author of Hiking Washington’s History; Erik Brooks, winner of the 2011 Washington State Book Award; Newbery Honor Winner Margaret Chodos; writer and publisher Robin Cruise;  Parents' Choice, Washington State Governor's Writers, and Best Multicultural Award- winning author Ken Mochizuki; and critically acclaimed, award-winning illustrator, Julianne Paschkis. Books will be available for signature and sale.

Also, meet local leaders committed to literacy, listen to live local music, enjoy appetizers and refreshments, and browse the over fifty unique literacy silent auction items, including a ticket package to the Seattle Symphony. It’s a great opportunity for early holiday shopping!   

Where: Olympia Country and Golf Club, 3636 Country Club Road, Olympia, WA  98502

Each year the South Sound Reading Foundation invites you to participate in their literacy celebration to support their mission; ensuring all children are read with and, or are reading 20 minutes a day.  Reading just 20 minutes a day promotes the healthy brain development, family bonding and school readiness all children need to read and succeed.

The Reading Foundation does this important work by educating and reminding children, youth and families about the importance of reading though community awareness campaigns and family education programming and by distributing free books so that every family, every child has the tools they need to read and succeed.

The Reading Foundation distributes over 50,000 books each year and with each book they share the important reading message. The funds raised at Books by the Bay will enable the Reading Foundation to continue its important literacy work. Please show your support by attending this very special event.

To order tickets call: 360-412-4499 or email: readt2me@nthurston.k12.wa.us

PW Starred Reviews

Some familiar names here:

• Robin Cruise, for BARTLEBY SPEAKS!
• Deb Caletti, for THE SECRET LIFE OF PRINCE CHARMING
• Laini Taylor, for SILKSINGER (illustrated by the fab Jim DiBartolo)

Read the rest of the Publishers Weekly list of stars so far (and the actual books, too, dagnabbit!).

Congratulations to those who have stars on thars. Apologies if I missed any.

Good news for Robin Cruise

Robin, who's recently moved here, has a new book out this month:

Bartleby Speaks! marks the first-time collaboration between acclaimed Kirkland-based children’s book author Robin Cruise and award-winning illustrator Kevin Hawkes.

The new picture book (August 2009) from Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers celebrates the unique nature of every child—and highlights the quiet power of listening.

Kirkus Reviews describes the book as a “sweetly underscored paean to the beauty of quiet,” and in a starred review, School Library Journal proclaims: “Youngsters … will ask for repeated readings.”

Cruise’s previous picture books include Only You, illustrated by Seattle-based Caldecott Honor winner Margaret Chodos-Irvine, and Little Mamá Forgets, illustrated by Stacey Dressen-McQueen. Visit her at her website: http://robincruise.com/.