More Book Festival Fun!

One of my 4th graders got her book signed by Jeff Kinney!

Last weekend was the fantastic Rhode Island Festival of Children's Books and Authors at Lincoln School in Providence.  I look forward to this incredible event all year!  As always, I'm happy to offer you a glimpse of just some of the fun this day had to offer!

The very first event of the day was a presentation by Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney.  He talked about the process he follows when writing a book and what the experience is like for him.  It was really exciting to see a page from his idea sketch book.  The words and pictures were so tiny!  He tried to fit as many thoughts as possible onto each page.  He explained that he has since switched to using a computer program so he wouldn't have to worry about losing his notebook!  [If you click on either picture below, you can view a larger version!]

Jeff admitted that it can be really hard for him to concentrate while working.  Here are some of the pictures he shared to prove it:

Covering himself in a blanket helps him focus (and provides an excellent opportunity to nap or avoid housework).

It's hard staying inside to work on a sunny day!

The most surprising thing I learned from his presentation is that he uses a computer program to create his illustrations.  He draws on an over-sized tablet and then adjusts the lines as needed.  Check it out:

One small part of a very, very long line!

As soon as his presentation was over, I rushed to get into line to have one of the library's copies of his book signed.  It was the longest line to meet an author that I have ever seen.  It spilled out of the gym, wound down the hall and around the perimeter of the cafeteria, went out the door, down the stairs, and along the sidewalk outside!  I stayed for as long as I could, but I didn't want to miss Jon Scieszka's presentation so I bowed out.  (I did get back into the line after that and was one of the last to meet him before he left -- woohoo!)

Jon Scieszka and his five brothers

As I expected, Jon Scieszka's presentation was extremely entertaining.  He is a remarkable storyteller and recounted many of his own life experiences in the process of answering some commonly asked questions.  For example:

When did you do your first book?

Where do you get your ideas?

Why did you become a writer?

  
What kind of car do you drive?

 As always, a heart-felt and enormous thank you to the amazing Meagan Lenihan of Lincoln School for organizing this event every year.  It is so thrilling to see people coming together to celebrate the joy of books!