I am officially spoiled.
Saturday’s presentation & signing at Flying Pig Books in Shelburne, Vermont was absolutely fantastic – thanks to book-loving store owners Elizabeth & Josie and a whole loft full of enthusiastic kids, parents & grandparents. Thanks to my husband and kids, too, who came along to help me carry props, set up extra chairs, and serve hardtack!
Flying Pig holds its author events in a big, beautiful room they call The Loft. It’s a lovely, lovely place for book-talk, with a cathedral ceiling and tons of natural light.
The kids liked hearing about the “experimental archaeology” parts of my research on 18th century life. Early blog readers will remember the saga of the powder horns on my roof…
I spotted a few familiar faces in the audience.
Author Tanya Lee Stone brought her kids and another kid she borrowed from a neighbor, I think.
My daughter and I have already planned a return visit to the Flying Pig Loft for June 7th, when Tanya will be there to give a presentation on her new book Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote, which comes out later this month. I’m impatient for this one!
I’m also looking forward to Tanya’s nonfiction workshop at the New England SCBWI Conference later this week. She’s giving a two-part session with Charlesbridge editor Yolanda LeRoy. Talk about a terrific team!
Here’s the downstairs-bookstore part of Flying Pig. This store has a HUGE focus on kids’ books. It took me almost an hour to drag E out of this section.
But here’s the very best thing about Flying Pig Books…
Left to right: Josie Leavitt, me, Elizabeth Bluemle
Owners Josie Leavitt and Elizabeth Bluemle love books & authors, and like so many folks who run indies, they know their stuff. They pointed both of my kids to perfect books right away. E went home with Clementine’s Letter, the new Clementine book from Sara Pennypacker and illustrator Marla Frazee and a signed copy of My Father the Dog, an outlandishly funny picture book written by the Flying Pig’s own Elizabeth Bluemle and illustrated by Randy Cecil. J picked up James Paterson’s new Maximum Ride book, The Final Warning.
Thanks, so much, Elizabeth, Josie, and Shelburne readers for a fantastic morning in the loft!
You packed the house, baby! I’m so glad you had such a good time.
Don’t you want to clone the whole store and Elizabeth and Josie?
I am absolutely in love with them. They do so much for authors and kids and books.
I’m so glad you had the experience, Kate.
Looks like a wonderful day, Kate, in a WONDERFUL bookstore!
I hadn’t read the cow horn story before – loved it!
Great photos Kate! Looks like you had an amazing day! Isn’t the Flying Pig wonderful? Vermont has some terrific bookstores!
I’d missed the cow horn story when you first posted it, thanks for linking to it again. I loved it!
I saw your book there, too! We all waved to it…
Yes, Elizabeth and Josie are the absolute best. And the store… well, we weren’t out of the parking lot five minutes when my 6-year-old said, “When can we go back??”
Thanks, Lisa! It’s one of those semi-gross stories, so kids love it.
Thanks!
Vermont’s indies really are fantastic!
I keep meaning to ask you – Did you get to read Keeping Score yet? I love that book so much and hope you enjoy it, too!
I’m so glad you had a perfect day, Kate! I have GOT to get the kids and I up to the Flying Pig this summer … maybe you and E and J could meet us there and we will read and browse and read and browse and …
Loree
Excellent! I must check it out…next time I’m in VT.
Gorgeous store. So glad you had a great time!
Ooohh…that sounds wonderful! Given their taste in reading, I think our daughters, especially would be quick friends.
You’ll love it! (Not too far from Stowe…maybe a 45 minute drive.)
Thanks, Deena! I loved reading about your book festival weekend, too.
Looked like a wonderful event. YAY!!!
Sounds like a wonderful day. Congrats! I’ll see you in that workshop. I’m introducing Yo & Tanya.