Last fall at the Baltimore Book Festival, we met two librarians by the name of Lisa and Rachel. We liked them and they liked us. One thing led to another, and we decided to take things to the next level. By which I mean, we signed up to do a reading and children’s book making workshop at the library where they work.
That would be the Reisterstown Library. I wish that I had taken a photo of its lovely brick exterior.
Alas, I was more preoccupied with documenting my lunch, which transpired at a little deli a few blocks away.
Once we arrived, there was the matter of setting up. The Reisterstown library had a special events room for us, with various tables and chairs to configure exactly as we pleased.
While we were setting up, Robbi noted that my shirt was full of holes and not up to her lofty standards.
I took offense to this, of course.
But did I disagree? I did not. Fortunately, the kind librarians of Reisterstown were prepared for such a contingency, providing me with a Summer Reading Program 2014 t-shirt. It is green and remarkable. You will see it in the pictures that follow.
Once the program began, the first order of business was reading some of our books to the kids.
They were generally attentive and appreciative, etc.
Next up was the book making. Robbi explained how it worked.
And the kids dived right in.
While Lisa the librarian looked on enthusiastically.
Check out their amazing work.
Once again, the kids got the concept right away.
While they were working. Kato did his best to plug our books. I swear we didn’t put him up to it.
I swear.
But the kids were too busy to notice.
They were illustrating their very own mix-and-match books and could not be distracted.
Some took bold, experimental leaps.
Others took a more traditional approach.
It was incredibly fun to see what the kids came up with.
And, of course, I felt doubly great to be wearing my brand-new, bright green, Summer Reading Club 2014 t-shirt with no holes in it.
FIZZ BOOM READ!, indeed.
Robbi paused to take a careful look at one girl’s work.
Check out the combinations as we flip through the pages.
New shirt.
New head.
New legs.
New head (with two extra arms).
So much good cheer! So much amazing work. It was immensely gratifying.
One young man threw form and structure to the wind and drew this dragon on the title page.
And an excellent dragon it was.
While we signed books for a few young fans…
Kato kept trying to push our products. (I later found out that he was laboring under the false impression that he was working on commission).
We had a fantastic time sharing our work, making books, and hanging out with the families of Reisterstown. Thanks to everyone who came out to spend the afternoon with us. And thanks especially to Rachel Medina and Lisa Dibbern of Reisterstown Library, quite possibly the two greatest librarians (who are not my mother, who is, of course the greatest librarian) in the world.
Go support the Reisterstown Library. They have amazing programing all the time, including great events for kids (apparently, there was recently a rocket making workshop, I kid you not).
If you missed this event and are glum about it, keep in mind that we’ll be giving two more reading/workshops this spring, one at the North Point Library on May 10 and another at the Hereford Library on May 17.
North Point Library
Saturday, May 10, 2014
2:00-4:00pm
Space is limited to 20
Call 410-887-7255 to register
Hereford LIbrary
Saturday, May 17, 2014
3:00-4:00pm
Space is limited to 20
Call 410-887-1919 to register
Though, as Rachel and Lisa have pointed out, it’s basically impossible that these events will be as good since they aren’t happening in Reisterstown.
