It’s been a whirlwind since one nor’easter after another and the release date of Salamander Sky on March 9th, 2018. I waited with baited breath to see if we would have books in time for the launch and just barely in time they came– to the lovely Bear Pond books!
North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier
March 10th, 2018:
The book tour started with a bang with a standing room only crowd at the North Branch Nature Center. It was an all ages group that came out to celebrate salamanders, nature, and our new picture book, Salamander Sky. The event had a book talk and reading, presentations from two naturalists, hands on stations for kids, and large, gorgeous salamander cookies. Kids large and small were introduced to the beautiful spotted salamander, and promised to look out for this delightful creature this spring.
I am so thankful to the North Branch Nature Center for hosting this event and to Chip, Zac, Sean, and Liza for presenting and sharing their expertise about salamanders with us.
Fletcher Free Library + Audubon Event, Burlington
March 11, 2018:
This event was hosted in a room filled with beautiful art upstairs in the Fletcher Free Library in downtown Burlington. Little kids and their exhausted parents wandered in and were very curious about Sky (my toy salamander) and the cookies. They wanted me to read the book to them right away! And so I did. Debbie from Vermont Audubon shared about their work to help amphibians in Vermont and how the families could get involved.
Bridgeside Books, Waterbury
This was a group of young readers and writers that gathered on a Saturday morning in the vibrant and gorgeous Bridgeside Books. So many fans of nature and animals were there, ready to learn about salamanders and begin writing their own stories about favorite animals and places. This was a writing and reading workshop called Telling a Science Story– and these kids had stories to tell!
Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington Ontario
March 18th, 2018:
This was wild! I presented to a room full of Canadians who were visiting the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario. They were having a Frog exhibit and were hosting authors and experts on amphibians. So I read Salamander Sky and took questions from the crowd virtually. It was fun and very different. I couldn’t really see the crowd, but the kids had some excellent questions and were very interested in how they could help the salamanders in Canada.
Kellogg Hubbard Library
SONY DSC
March 24th, 2018:
On a busy day in Montpelier, with the March for our Lives happening and numerous other meetings and events, a small but mighty crew gathered to hear Salamander Sky and ask questions. They were very interested in Meg Sodano’s coloring page and holding Sky.
Joslin Memorial Library
March 25th, 2018:
Wow! About 2 dozen salamander fans and their parents showed up to hear Salamander Sky, share salamander stories, eat cookies, color and ask questions about the book. Books were supplied by the sweet Tempest Books in Waitsfield, Vermont. If you haven’t been to the Joslin Memorial Library’s children’s room, you are missing out! This is a lovely space, full of natural light, beautiful books, and warmth.
Tomorrow I am off to Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, and then visiting 3 schools in the Middlebury area on Monday!
It may be snowing now, but soon, there will be a Salamander Sky….