Category: KidLitCares

Rose O’Neill: The Girl Who Loved to Draw by Linda Brewster

 I’m happy to have been involved in the KidLit Cares auction for Superstorm Sandy relief for so many reasons. First, of course, is the money we raised for the Red Cross relief effort. But beyond that, my own contribution – the school and library planning and publicity packages – have led me to discover some really amazing titles that I might otherwise have missed.

One of them is ROSE O’NEILL: THE GIRL WHO LOVED TO DRAW by Linda Brewster.

It’s a gem of an artist biography but a tough one to peg when it comes to readers’ ages. It’s the kind of title you might pick up at an art museum bookshop as an adult, reading to gain an appreciation for the history of the artist behind the work. But it’s also just the kind of book that young artists and readers will love, since it really focuses on the girl who grew into America’s first woman cartoonist.  And it’s a title that school librarians and teachers in grades 4-8 should know about, too, especially with the invitation to explore more creative nonfiction under the Common Core Standards. This book would be a great model for kids working on their own biographies of famous artists or musicians, or really any public figures.

This is Rose’s story, and it begins when she is small – a child about to start out on a covered wagon journey across the country to live in a sod house.  Rose’s journey with her parents and siblings includes long days in a Conestoga wagon. It includes financial troubles and evictions, happiness and heartbreak, but most of all, it includes art and love. No matter how tough things were for Rose’s family, her parents managed to surround her with books, take her to the theater occasionally, and support her talents in both theater and art.

Rose grew up to be not only a gifted illustrator, inspired by her life stories and the baby brothers and sisters she helped to raise, but also an advocate for women. She was a part of the suffrage movement, using her popular Kewpie characters to help spread the message. And this book does an amazing job of telling and showing Rose’s story.  There are great, vivid examples of her drawings here that lend themselves to conversations about the connections between an artist’s history and her work. Kids will be excited to study the illustrations and make those connections to the biographical text.

As part of the planning and publicity package, I took a look at how this title might help to meet the Common Core Standards. Here are a couple of the reflection/writing questions that’s part of the new study guide:

While Rose O’Neill may be best known for her Kewpies, her artistic talents span a wider range of styles. Her “Sweet Monsters” drawings drew controversy when she shared them. View some of these and read about them here:

http://www.stateoftheozarks.net/Cultural/Craftsmanship/Painting/RoseONeill/SweetMonsters.ht

 Does it surprise you that this work was done by the cartoonist you read about in THE GIRL WHO LOVED TO DRAW? Why or why not?

Read Rose’s poem “The New Baby” on page 13. How does this poem written by Rose herself compare to Linda Brewster’s narrative account of the birth of Rose’s little sister?  How are the two accounts similar? How are they different?

  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.9 Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.

To read more about this great illustrated biography, check out Linda Brewster’s website: www.lindabrewster.com. 

This book is with a smaller press, so it’s one that lots of teachers and librarians might have missed, so I’m giving away a copy today to help spread the word. To enter the drawing, just leave a comment that includes your email, and I’ll drop you a note to get your address if you win (U.S. entries only, please!)

Jaguar Stones Series by J and P Voelkel

I’ve spent the past few weeks immersed in the world of the Maya, thanks to authors J and P Voelkel, who won my School & Library Planning and Publicity Package for the KidLitCares auction to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief.  And what a gift it’s been to visit that world!

MIDDLEWORLD launches the series- here’s the official book description from the publisher.

Fourteen-year-old Max Murphy is looking forward to a family vacation. But his parents, both archaeologists and Maya experts, announce a change in plan. They must leave immediately for a dig in the tiny Central American country of San Xavier. Max will go to summer camp. Max is furious. When he’s mysteriously summoned to San Xavier, he thinks they’ve had a change of heart.

Upon his arrival, Max’s wild adventure in the tropical rainforests of San Xavier begins. During his journey, he will unlock ancient secrets and meet strangers who are connected to him in ways he could never have imagined. For fate has delivered a challenge of epic proportions to this pampered teenager. Can Max rescue his parents from the Maya Underworld and save the world from the Lords of Death, who now control the power of the Jaguar Stones in their villainous hands? The scene is set for a roller-coaster ride of suspense and terror, as the good guys and the bad guys face off against a background of haunted temples, zombie armies, and even human sacrifice!

The truth is…they had me at “wild adventure” and “ancient secrets” but this book offers so much more than that. Kids who haven’t already met Max will love his jaunty attitude and the messes he gets himself into.  They’ll love the danger (on just about every page!) and the mystery of the rainforest and shady figures who inhabit it.

Their teachers and librarians will love the rich curriculum connections this book provides.  Rainforest ecosystems? Check. Ancient cultures and myths? Check.  If ever there were a title that made it easy to teach the Common Core Standards for Grades 4-8, it’s this one. As part of the Voelkels’ KidLitCares package, I put together a discussion and resource guide for using MIDDLEWORLD in the classroom.  Here’s an example of the CCS-aligned activities:

Historical Research: Read the online PBS feature article about Friar Diego de Landa, one of the real-life historical figures mentioned in MIDDLEWORLD:

PBS – When Worlds Collide: The Untold Story of the Americas after Columbus –  http://www.pbs.org/kcet/when-worlds-collide/people/diego-de-landa.html

 In Chapter 2 of MIDDLEWORLD, Oscar tells Max, “Diego de Landa was the curse of the Maya. He tortured us, he burned our books, he told the world we were savages.”  Based on the PBS article, is this a fair characterization of Landa? Why or why not?  Use details from the PBS feature to support your opinion.

  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.9 Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history.

 MIDDLEWORLD was featured on the Today Show a while back when it was selected for Al Roker’s Book Club. You can see that video here.
 And you won’t want to miss the Voelkels’ website, where there are more resources and links and freebies for teachers than I’ve ever seen anywhere. Really. Go check it out.

KidLit Cares: Thank you SO much! Plus an update on what’s next…

Many, many, many thanks to all of you who have donated auction items, spread the word via social media and your email groups, and bid on charity auctions from the KidLit Cares Children’s Book Community as we raise money for the Red Cross Disaster Relief effort in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. You are all amazing and have made me weepy more than once with your generosity and general awesomeness over the past few days . There are 42 auctions listed now — everything from manuscript and portfolio critiques to Skype author visits with signed books, and even a free pass to get your manuscript to a Chronicle Books editorial meeting. There are great opportunities for writers, illustrators, teachers, librarians, book clubs, and parents, and the full list is below, with links.

For now, we’re taking a short break from listing new auction items so that people have time to discover and bid on the great donations that are already here. But the good news is, there will be a second round of KidLit Cares auctions very, very soon. My friend &  fellow Bloomsbury/Walker author Joanne Levy, is  taking the reins for this second phase of the fundraiser, which will be hosted here. (I have yet to meet Joanne in person but immediately liked her when I was in the middle of setting up Teachers Write last summer and she tweeted at me: “I am an organizational goddess. Is there anything I can do to help you?” Joanne is indeed one of the most organized people on the planet. She’s passionate about books and helping people, and she’d doing a great job with Round Two already.)

We’ve received incredible offers for auction items for this new round, including  more agent & author manuscript critiques, signed book collections, a website design package, and original art from illustrators. So please watch for those. If you’d like to make a donation, too, you can email Joanne at the dedicated email address she’s set up for the next phase of KidLitCares: kidlitcares@joannelevy.com.

For now, please keep those bids coming and continue to help us spread the word about KidLid Cares by sharing our link for the current auctions with your friends.  You can copy & paste this link for sharing:

Kid-Lit Cares: Superstorm Sandy Relief Effort

And our Twitter hashtag is #KidLitCares.

One more time…thanks. It’s a joy and an honor to be a part of this reading, writing, and teaching community online.

1. Manuscript Critique with Caroline Abbey of Bloomsbury

2. Manuscript Critique & Signed Books from Julie Berry

3. Manuscript Critique with Laurie Halse Anderson

4. Manuscript Critique with Jo Knowles

5. 20-minute Phone Chat with Agent Erin Murphy

6. School Skype Gift Bag from Author Laurel Snyder!

7. Perfect Your Pitch Package with Author Erin Dionne

8. Query Critique & Phone Chat with Agent Jennifer Laughran

9. Manuscript Critique with Agent Pam van Hylckama

10. Skype Author Visit with Laurie Halse Anderson

11. Skype Visit with Veronica Roth, Author of DIVERGENT

12. Phone Call with Poet & Author Nikki Grimes

13. Picture Book Critique with Author Jean Reidy!

14. Manuscript Critique & Phone Call with Egmont USA Publisher Elizabeth Law

15. Full YA or MG Manuscript Critique with Author Kody Keplinger

16. Picture Book Critique with Author Deborah Underwood

17. Skype Visit with Mo Willems!

18. Skype Visit & Signed Books from Author Linda Urban

19. Skype Author Visit & Signed Books from Sara Lewis Holmes

20. Skype Visit & Signed Books from Barbara O’Connor

21. Writer’s Care Package from Sarah Aronson

22. Picture Book Critique with Michelle Knudsen

23. “Free Pass” to Chronicle Books Editorial Meeting & Picture Book Critique with Editor Melissa Manlove

24. For Authors: School and Library Planning & Publicity Package from Kate Messner

25. Manuscript Critique with Author April Henry

26. Manuscript Critique with Author Sarah Darer Littman

27. Poetry or Picture Book Critique with Author Kelly Fineman

28. Author/Agent Tag-Team Picture Book Critique & Submission Package w/ Anne Marie Pace & Linda Pratt

29.Signed Fairy Tale Retellings & a Personal Letter from Author Diane Zahler

30. Manuscript Critique & Phone Call with Agent Michelle Witte

30A  (I apparently like the number 30 and used it twice.) Release Day Launch Package for your YA/MG Book from InkSlinger PR

31. Manuscript Critique & Signed Book from Editor Cheryl Klein

32.Month9Books 2013 “Books for a Year” Package

33.Skype Author Visit & Signed Books from Ellen Hopkins

34. School Author Visit with Sarah Albee (CT, NY, MA, & DC only)

35. New England School or Library Author Visit with Cynthia Lord

36. Signed Books (and a character named after you!) from Author Robin Wasserman

37. Query & Manuscript Critique Package with Author Tessa Gratton

38. 50-page Fantasy or Science Fiction Critique with Author Gwenda Bond

39. 3-Day Writing Retreat at The Writing Barn in Austin

40. Skype Author Visit with Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park

41. Portfolio Critique with Penguin Art Director Giuseppe Castellano

KidLitCares: Portfolio Critique with Penguin Art Director Giuseppe Castellano

Auction #41:  Portfolio Critique with Penguin Art Director Giuseppe Castellano

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

Illustrators…you’ve been asking for this auction… Penguin Art Director Giuseppe Castellano is offering a written portfolio critique, with a follow-up phone call to discuss your work. An amazing opportunity for aspiring illustrators!
From Giuseppe – more incentive to bid… Thanks for the bids, folks! I’m so proud to be part of this. Playing off of others who are adding to their great offers, I will too. If we reach $300, I’ll add a one-on-one lunch with me, my treat. We can talk about art and publishing, linseed oil and Wacom tablets! We’ll hammer out details after the auction. If we reach $500, in addition to the above, I will bring a book idea of yours to our Editorial Meeting. Thanks to Manlove for the great idea!

Opening Bid: $30

Auction Ends: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

KidLit Cares: Skype Author Visit with Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park

Auction #40: Skype Author Visit with Linda Sue Park

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

Newbery Medalist and 39 CLUES author Linda Sue Park is offering a 30-minute Skype Q and A session for your school, library, or book club. Her incredible titles include Newbery winner A SINGLE SHARD, PROJECT MULBERRY, 39 CLUES: STORM WARNING, THE THIRD GIFT, and A LONG WALK TO WATER. An amazing opportunity for your classroom, library, or book club!

Opening Bid: $30

Auction Ends: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

KidLit Cares: 3-Day Writing Retreat at The Writing Barn in Austin

Auction #39:  3-Day Writing Retreat at The Writing Barn in Austin, TX

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

Spend a weekend writing, reading, retreating or simply hitting up every food truck in Austin, Texas. Bethany Hegedus, children’s author and Writing Barn Owner is happy to donate a weekend stay to the Sandy relief efforts. The weekend, scheduled at an agreed upon time between the winning bidder and owner, will be for three nights, Friday-Sunday– a $600 + value.

Host to the Texas Book Festival Kid Lit authors and illustrators, all published peeps who visit The Writing Barn are encouraged to sign the beams on the screened-in-porch.

(Here’s Jarrett Krosoczka signing his beam. Don’t you want to sign one, too? Bid!)
For more information about The Writing Barn, or to ask specific questions, please email info@thewritingbarn.com.

Opening Bid: $50

Auction Ends: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

KidLit Cares: 50-page Fantasy or Science Fiction Critique with Author Gwenda Bond

Auction #38:  Manuscript Critique with Author Gwenda Bond

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

Gwenda Bond, YA fantasy author of the recently released Blackwood, is offering a 50-page manuscript critique for a fantasy or science fiction novel, any flavor  (can be MG, YA, or for adults). She also reviews YA for Locus Magazine, contributes to Publishers Weekly, and guest-edited a special YA issue of Subterranean Online. Gwenda says: “This will be a generous critique, and I’ll happily spitball ideas with the writer about world-building and the structure/plot of the rest of the book if they like, via email or in a half-hour phone call. Or, if they have the whole manuscript, I will help them craft the query pitch for it.”

Opening Bid: $30

Auction Ends: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

KidLit Cares: Query & Manuscript Critique Package with Author Tessa Gratton

Auction #37:  Query & Manuscript Critique Package with Author Tessa Gratton

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

Tessa Gratton, the author of amazing YA titles like BLOOD MAGIC and THE BLOOD KEEPER, is offering FIVE query and partial manuscript critiques to the five highest bidders in this auction!  Query letters & opening chapters are Tessa’s specialty. She’ll read and critique your query letter and the first 5000 words of your YA or MG novel if you’re one of those top bidders!

Opening Bid: $30

Auction Ends: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

KidLit Cares: Signed Books (and a character named after you!) from Author Robin Wasserman

Auction #36: Signed Books & Character-Naming from Author Robin Wasserman

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

Amazing holiday gift alert! Author Robin Wasserman is offering an incredibly fun opportunity for this auction…  She’ll send you signed copies of all of her books (THE BOOK OF BLOOD AND SHADOW, COLD AWAKENING trilogy, HACKING HARVARD,  and SEVEN DEADLY SINS)  And…she’ll also name a character in her next book after you or anyone you’d like!

Opening Bid: $30

Auction Ends: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

KidLit Cares: New England School or Library Author Visit with Cynthia Lord

Auction #35: Full-Day, In-Person School or Library  Author Visit with Newbery Honor Author Cynthia Lord (New England only)

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

Cynthia Lord, author of TOUCH BLUE, HOT ROD HAMSTER, HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAMSTER, and the Newbery Honor Book RULES is offering this amazing opportunity for a school or library in New England. She’ll come to your school or library in New England to give up to three presentations (four if there’s a kindergarten) about her books & writing.  If the bidder doesn’t live in New England, he or she may choose a school or library that was in the hard-hit areas of Connecticut or Rhode Island to receive the visit.

Opening Bid: $40

Auction Ends: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!