May 10 Friday
Join the South Hadley Public Library for a May 10 program and drawing demo with graphic novelist and illustrator Scott Magoon. The event is focused on The Extincts, an action-packed middle grade graphic novel adventure series that follows a team of so-called “de-extincted” animals as they navigate a modern world unfamiliar to them.
A book signing will follow the program, in partnership with Odyssey Bookshop.
Scott Magoon is the illustrator of several acclaimed picture books, including the New York Times bestselling RESCUE & JESSICA: A LIFE-CHANGING FRIENDSHIP by Jessica Kensky & Patrick Downes, MISUNDERSTOOD SHARK series BY Ame Dyckman and the SPOON series by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. He is also the author/illustrator of the EXTINCTS series of graphic novels, LINUS THE LITTLE YELLOW PENCIL, BREATHE and THE BOY WHO CRIED BIGFOOT. He lives in Massachusetts. Visit him online at www.scottmagoon.com
The Dickinson Memorial Library in Northfield will host a May 10 talk and activity with Diana Renn, author of the eco-mystery, Trouble at Turtle Pond, a book that celebrates citizen science, activist kids, and the power of paying attention. Renn will discuss how her real-life work as a community scientist and volunteer working with turtle hatchlings inspired the novel.
Diana Renn is the author of two middle grade eco-mysteries: Trouble at Turtle Pond (Fitzroy Books/Regal House) and The Owl Prowl Mystery (coming in August 2024). Trouble at Turtle Pond was named a 2023 Green Earth Book Awards Honor Book and a Massachusetts Book Award "Must Read." Her "Backyard Rangers" mysteries were originally inspired by volunteer work she and her son did with Blanding’s turtles through Zoo New England’s HATCH program. She serves as a Mentor in a program called Creature Conserve, which facilitates creative collaborations among artists, writers, and scientists working on conservation issues. Diana is also the author of three young adult mysteries: Tokyo Heist, Latitude Zero, and Blue Voyage, (Viking / Penguin Random House). In addition, Diana writes nonfiction; she is the recipient of a Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellowship Award for creative nonfiction, and her essays have appeared in Flyway Journal of Writing and Environment, Pangyrus, WBUR’s Cognoscenti, Publisher’s Weekly, The Huffington Post, Mindful, Writer’s Digest, and elsewhere. Originally from Seattle, Diana now lives in Concord, Massachusetts, where she feels fortunate to have turtles and other wildlife among her neighbors. You can visit Diana online at https://dianarennbooks.com/.
May 11 Saturday
Going us for ongoing adult classes and season youth & teen classes at SCDT!
Check out our current offerings here:
Adult Classes: https://www.scdtnoho.com/adult-class-schedule.html
Youth Classes: https://www.scdtnoho.com/youth-class-schedule1.html
Our updated Spring season schedule will be out soon!
The Forbes Library in Northampton will host Melissa Stewart for a special event and activity on Saturday, May 11 for her book, Tree Hole Homes: Daytime Dens & Nighttime Nooks. In this science and nature-themed picture book, nonfiction expert Melissa Stewart offers up an inviting peek into the secret world of tree hole dwellers. From black bears to tree frogs and bobcats, it’s surprising just who you’ll find!
Books will be available for purchase and signing following the program, thanks to High Five Books.
Melissa Stewart has written more than 200 science books for children, including the Sibert Medal Honoree Summertime Sleepers: Animals that Estivate, illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen, and the AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books Winner Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-floor Ecosystem, illustrated by Rob Dunlavey. When Melissa isn’t writing or exploring the natural world, she spends time speaking at schools, libraries, and conferences for educators. She can’t imagine any job she’d rather have. https://www.melissa-stewart.com/
The Sunderland Public Library will host award-winning children's author Anna Staniszewski for a special storytime and activity on Saturday, May 11!
Anna will read from her new picture book, My Cousin's Mermaid: A Story from Poland and lead attendees in an activity.
Born in Poland and raised in the United States, Anna Staniszewski grew up loving stories in both Polish and English. Currently, she lives south of Boston with her family and teaches courses on writing and children’s literature. When she’s not writing, Anna spends her time reading, daydreaming, and challenging unicorns to games of hopscotch. She is the author of over thirty books for young readers, including the novels Clique Here and The Wonder of Wildflowers; the picture books Beast in Show and My Cousin's Mermaid; and the Once Upon a Fairy Tale chapter book series. You can find out more at annastan.com.
The Children's Museum at Holyoke will host graphic novelist and creator Jarrett Lerner on Saturday, May 11 at 11am! Jarrett will introduce his brand new book, Nat the Cat Has a Snack and lead a comics-related activity.
Nat the Cat learns to share in Jarrett Lerner's hilarious new book about a grumpy cat and a long-suffering narrator!
The event will be followed by a signing, with books available for purchase from Odyssey Bookshop.
Author-illustrator Jarrett Lerner is the award-winning creator of the EngiNerds series of Middle Grade novels, the Geeger the Robot series of early chapter books, The Hunger Heroes series of graphic novel chapter books, and the Nat the Cat series of early readers, the first of which was named an ALSC/ALA 2024 Notable Book. Jarrett is also the creator of the illustrated novel in verse A Work in Progress, which appeared on the New York Public Library’s Best Books of 2023 list, the Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best 2023 list, and was named an Audible Best Book of 2023. In addition to writing, drawing, and visiting schools and libraries across the country, Jarrett co-founded and co-organizes the KidsNeedBooks and KidsNeedMentors projects, and regularly spearheads fundraisers for various reading- and book-related causes. He is also the founder and operator of Jarrett Lerner’s Creator Club. He can be found at jarrettlerner.com and on Twitter and Instagram at @Jarrett_Lerner. He lives with his wife and daughters in Massachusetts.
Bring Spring inside with fabrics and stitchery to create a slow stitched, embroidered and embellished miniature vessel. An ideal Mother's Day gift, a container for a candle, plant, jewelry, or life's bits and pieces.No previous embroidery knowledge is needed, all materials are provided and the background will be assembled and ready for you to stitch and embellish.
Award-winning illustrator Ruth Sanderson will lead students in discovering the techniques used in scratchboard art. Everyone will work on a portrait of an animal, learning how to create realistic animal eyes and fur. Materials will be provided. Registration is required.This program is supported in part by a grant from the Northampton Arts Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
May 12 Sunday
Join us for a reading of The Book Rescuer: How a Mensch from Massachusetts Saved Yiddish Literature for Generations to Come, followed by a brief hands-on examination of early 20th century Yiddish children’s illustrated books.
Families are then invited to explore the Center’s new exhibition Yiddish: A Global Culture, with a family guide featuring the Center's mascot, Tsiggy the Goat. Kids can search for exhibit highlights and add stickers to their guides as they explore.