After Part I and Part II, today is the dramatic conclusion to my 2019 ALA Annual Conference experience.
Sunday began with the Coretta Scott King breakfast. It’s when all the CSK winners accept their awards. There was a lot of love in that room, and the speeches were as moving as they come. An ALA highlight. Also, a great program by Ekua Holmes:
From there it was back to the convention center for the first Yarn interview of the day:
With Eoin Colfer. We talked about Artemis Fowl, his new series The Fowl Twins, Roald Dahl, and the transition he made from teacher to full-time writer.
Along the way the AASL released their best apps and best websites for teaching and learning. Tucked those into my back pocket, because it was time to meet these two:
Shannon and Dean Hale. They talked about the creation of The Princess in Black series while I tried to contain myself because they were so funny and charming. When I was walking them back to the Candlwick Press booth, I spotted one of the coolest pieces of swag at the conference:
Circle tattoos. “Oh I’ll come back and grab one later”, I thought. Reminder: NEVER THINK THAT! Because I never returned and missed my chance at temporary tattoo glory.
The last interview of the day was with Dan Santat. When we sat down I was like, “I don’t even know where to start with you, there are so many books we could talk about.” We settled on Harold & Hog Pretend for Real, his new Elephant & Piggie Like Reading book. In the course of the conversation, we touched on Drawn Together, Beekle, After the Fall, and more.
Speaking of Mr. Santat, characters from a bunch of his books are at Kohls RIGHT NOW:
Which has led some people to make their own Beekle rump modifications:
After the interview I had a bit of time, so . . .
White House. No comment on the current resident.
Sunday night was the Newbery/Caldecott/Legacy Banquet. John Schumacher and I shared a ride:
The program was very nice:
The Bird Sisters (of Kate & Fuse #8 podcast fame), were on theme: A lighthouse and the sea:
Dessert was nice:
So was running into Sergio Ruzzier:
Then came the part of the night we were all there for: seeing everyone collect their awards. The great honor winners came first. Then Sophie Blackall spoke:
As did Meg Medina:
Christopher Myers accepted the Legacy Award for his father, the late Walter Dean Myers:
90s R&B groups were in the audience:
And the receiving line was a treat:
It was a wonderful night.
But the conference was not over yet! Bright and early Monday morning . . .
. . . I had one last interview.
This one was recorded live. And it was a biggie:
Our 2019 Newbery Medal winner, Meg Medina. It was a pleasure. Episode to come soon. (Photo Credit: Andie Krawczyk)
And with that, I attempted to pack up all my stuff:
And took a car to the airport, where I saw the back of that OTHER monument to Abe Lincoln:
Then I got on the plane to head back to Michigan, by way of New York City:
It was a great conference and great to be home.
And I even got to meet Henry Winkler:
See you in 2020, ALA.
About Travis Jonker
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