Rajani LaRocca's Blog, page 32
October 24, 2019
A New Picture Book Announcement!
I’m thrilled to announce that my picture book BRACELETS FOR BROTHERS will release in 2021 with Charlesbridge Publishing! It tells the story of a girl named Chandrika who uses patterns to make bracelets for her three older brothers to celebrate the Hindu holiday Raksha Bandhan. A part of the Storytelling Math series, it involves simple patterns, family gifts, and the love between sisters and brothers. Incredible artist Chaaya Prabhat will illustrate!
October 21, 2019
CASL/CECA 2019!
I headed to Harford, CT to connect with librarians, teachers, and technology experts. Along the way, I got to hang out with some awesome fellow authors!!
October 20, 2019
Tweens Read!!
I was so incredibly lucky to be a part of Tweens Read, an astounding book festival put on by Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston, TX!! On Friday evening, I got to meet fellow authors in the lovely bookstore, enjoy some snacks, and add my signature to the wall of authors!!
The next day, we gathered at Pasadena Memorial High School in Houston to spend time with nearly 3000 registered participants, most of whom were middle grade readers!! We participated in panels where we read from our books and took questions from young readers. Finally, there was an extremely exciting massive book signing!! This was truly one of the most remarkable book events I’ve ever attended, and I was honored to be a part of it!
October 15, 2019
Sedgwick Middle School!
I also visited wonderful Sedgwick Middle School in West Hartford, CT and ate lunch with some incredible middle grade readers! We chatted about writing and publishing, and I was so impressed with these students’ love of books!
Bristow Middle School!
I traveled to Bristow Middle School in West Hartford, CT to visit some awesome students!! Not only had many of them read MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM; a couple of young bakers made scrumptious gulab jakmun cupcakes and chocolate chunk cookies with thyme and citrus zest from the book! After snacking and signing, I got to talk to the entire school during a spirited assembly!
October 13, 2019
McIntyre’s Books!
I met up with my awesome friend Gillian McDunn and another incredible author, Frances O’Roark Dowell, for a wonderful middle grade event on a rainy Sunday at McIntyre’s Books in Pittsboro, NC! Before the panel, we were interviewed by a lovely tween blogger! The panel was full of great questions and scintillating discussion, followed by a very challenging spice smelling contest, and a feast of cinnamon-cayenne brownies and gingery apple brown betty! A wonderful time was had by all!!
October 10, 2019
Folio Books!
While I was in San Francisco, I got to visit a charming and magical bookstore, Folio Books, and present to their Middle Grade Book Worms club! The kids got to enjoy pizza and drinks, participate in a smelling contest, get their copies of MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM signed, and sign my “yearbook” book!
Kidquake!!
I was so fortunate to be invited to Kidquake at the San Francisco Public Library this year!! As part of the annual Litquake celebration, I got to present alongside amazing authors and illustrators Ellen Klages, Diana Toledano, and K-Fai Steele!! The auditorium full of students heard about our journeys to becoming published authors and illustrators.
October 8, 2019
Greenbrier School!
I loved visiting wonderful Greenbrier School in Arlington Heights, IL, where I presented to over 200 4th and 5th graders thanks to my wonderful publisher and The Book Stall. The kids were attentive, appreciative, and amazing!
October 7, 2019
Builta School!
Visiting the Builta School in Bolingbrook, IL was such a treat…just take a look at the incredible MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM art they created using their school mascot, the badger! The students also made cupcake art, described ingredients they’d use in their baked goods, and wrote about creating with their hearts. Huge thanks to Anderson’s Bookshop for bringing me there!
