The world-famous Waldo comes to Houston in July and will be hiding out in 22 local businesses all month (starting July 1). Drop into any of the locations to pick up your Find Waldo Passport and get it stamped every time you find him. Once you have collected ten stamps, you can come to Brazos Bookstore and get a “I Found Waldo!” button and $1 off coupon for any of the Where’s Waldo books we have on display.
I have known author Samantha Clark for a number of years now. Our paths cross regularly in a number of ways: We are both members of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (Sam is the Regional Advisor for the Austin chapter); We both attend many of the same writer’s conferences and retreats. I’ve watched with eager anticipation her journey to publication with a fabulous and thrilling middle grade novel called The Boy, the Boat, and the Beast, which debuts at the end of this month.
Joy: I’m here with Ülrika, our gift buyer. We are discussing Neverworld Wake, by Marisha Pessl!
Marisha is coming to the store on June 12, so we’re all really really really excited about that. It was Ülrika who put Night Film in my hands, which is her previous, wonderful (enormous) novel. So Ülrika was really excited to talk about Neverworld Wake with me. There’s so much we can’t give away, or we would let you know exactly what happens!
Ülrika, If you were selling this to me, what would you give me as the four-sentence pitch?
I was so very excited when Austin’s Cate Berry reached out to me about doing a story time at Brazos for her debut picture book! Penguin and Tiny Shrimp Don't Do Bedtime is out now from Balzer and Bray/Harper Collins, an imprint that publishes impeccably wonderful, creative picture books! Penguin and Tiny Shrimp is funny and charming and as per the title will absolutely not put you to sleep. And Cate, who also teaches aspiring authors the art of writing humorous picture books, is equally a delight!
Joy: We’re going to be talking about TRADITION today, the new YA coming out by Brendan Kiely. We’re all excited about it here in store! Basically, the setting is Fullbrook Academy, which is an elite private boarding school with (as the title indicates) lots of traditions.
James Baxter, a hockey star and former football star, has had something tragic happen while playing sports at his public school and he’s gotten a second chance. He comes to Fullbrook, where he definitely feels like a fish out of water.
I first had the privilege of meeting Brendan Kiely in Fall 2016 at the Young Adult Literature Conference hosted by Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Illinois, just south of Chicago, where we were both speaking. I had read his ALL AMERICAN BOYS, which he co-wrote with Jason Reynolds and which deftly explores racism and police violence in America. Like everyone else, I was in awe of this book and its authors. Kiely himself was funny and humble and kind and a million other adjectives that basically boil down to awesome human being.
We recently had the great privilege escorting bestselling YA author Kami Garcia (Beautiful Creatures series) to a day of school visits on her tour for her newest YA, Broken Beautiful Hearts, the timely and engaging story of a star soccer player who must rebuild her life and stand up against abuse after her boyfriend pushes her down a flight of stairs when she confronts him about his use of steroids. Kami sat down to talk to Children Specialist Joy about her own story, about writing YA, and about life, fame and writing.
We give out a LOT of bookmarks here at Brazos, and we are always looking for new ideas for their design. This spring we’re asking kids to lend their artistic expertise to our annual Bookmark Contest! Download the official entry form here and return it to the store by Sunday, April 29, 2018. We’ll announce the winners at our summer reading kickoff party on Saturday, June 2nd at 2pm!
Mark your calendars for a Brazos Bookstore Kids’ Treehouse weeklong family-friendly extravaganza of all things Houston! From stories to crafts to yummy themed-snacks, special guests, and a few surprises, this is going to be one fantastic Houston Proud Spring Break week of fun (events all-ages unless otherwise noted). Click on each date below to go to the event page.
