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!
