A very fine Festival!

A few pictures from last weekend's Author Festival in Humbolt County California -- but first, a HUGE THANK YOU to all of the coordinators, volunteers, and sponsors that make this happen every two years. It was my first time as a participant, but it is very clear why so many authors in attendance have been SO happy to come back year after year. It was really terrific! A great way to spend some time with kids in the Humbolt County schools and to make some new friends among the other authors and illustrators in attendance. Until next time...

Hangin' with the gang at Orleans Elementary School . The photo doesn't do it justice, but these k-2nd graders made a beautiful book for me -- illustrated and signed by each them -- of their favorite scenes from my books.

San Francisco author/illustrator Bob Barner captivated all on Friday night as he drew a guitar wielding skeleton from his DEM BONES book -- accompanied by the appropriate music, of course!

Hard to resist getting a photo with fellow pacific northwest author and recent Newbery Honor Award winner, Kirby Larson. She's also just a really nice person, and one of the first authors that I can remember meeting when I attended my "freshman" SCBWI events in Seattle Washington 7 years ago.

And finally, perhaps the biggest highlight of the weekend was the opportunity to meet Shirley Climo. Shirley is the author of many books, including a remarkable array of Cinderella stories, and the main reason that I was asked to attend the festival in the first place. Her most recent book, MONKEY BUSINESS: STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, was the first book that I had illustrated for another author, and the artwork made a small impression on festival organizers when Mrs. Climo attended two years ago. Thanks Shirley!

For a complete list of 2007's attending authors, visit Authorfest.org!