Recently an author was honored in his hometown, collaborators came together to present a graphic novel, students performed a live adaptation of a picture book, an author closed out a book tour, a nonprofit threw a gala, and an art gallery welcomed a graphic novelist for an event.
The Best Kind of “Crossover”
On April 10, Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander unveiled the first of 10 Little Free Libraries in his hometown of Chesapeake, Va., in honor of the 10th anniversary of his novel The Crossover. The library stands on land purchased and farmed by Alexander’s great-great-grandfather in the wake of the Civil War and features original artwork by Dawud Anyabwile, illustrator of The Crossover. “I’m excited to unveil and dedicate this Crossover–themed Little Free Library in the spirit of community,” Alexander said in a statement. “I’m celebrating the students, the librarians, and my family.” Here, Alexander (in back) launches an LFL with young readers.
Join the Club
On April 12, Raina Telgemeier (l.) and Scott McCloud, co-chairs of ALA’s National Library Week, made an appearance at the St. Louis County Library for an event highlighting their collaboration The Cartoonists Club (Graphix). The graphic novel follows middle schooler Makayla, a budding writer, who founds a club in hopes of finding fellow creatives. The pair gave a presentation and took photos with attendees; guests received pre-signed book plates and a Cartoonists Club tote bag.
In the Limelight
Students at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C., showcased an adaptation of musician Lucky Diaz’s picture book La Guitarrista for the school’s 2025 "Little Read" initiative, part of its Visiting Writers series. Illustrated by Micah Player, the book is about a girl who achieves her dreams with help from her community and a broken guitar.
A Mother of a Tour
Laura Numeroff recently went on tour for her picture book Max and Mama (Brown/Sampson). The book, illustrated by Masha Sudovykh, follows the titular mother-and-son duo navigating a bumpy ride home together. Here, Numeroff signs copies of her book at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans on April 12.
A Gala for the Books
Nonprofit organization Reading Partners celebrated 25 years of literacy outreach with a gala at Gotham Hall in New York City on April 23. The “One for the Books” ceremony was emceed by actor and author Michelle Buteau and author Kwame Alexander, musician Darryl McDaniels, and literacy advocates Alexis and Steve Strongin. Here, McDaniels accepts his Storyteller for Change Award.
Catch You on the Flip Side
Jason Walz made an appearance at Fresh Eye art gallery in Minneapolis on April 23 to share his new graphic novel The Flip Side (Rocky Pond). The event, hosted in partnership with Amazeworks and Red Balloon Bookshop, consisted of a reading and author q&a, followed by a book signing. The graphic novel follows grieving Theo, who must escape a terrifying monster after his town turns upside down and everyone disappears.
