My 2023 ALA Annual Plan-ual

I’ve been attending the American Library Association Annual Conference since 2009 (see?) and things have changed over the years.

More specifically, my perspective has shifted, which means what I do while I’m there has also shifted. In the beginning, my conference POV was that of a school librarian and blogger. I attended school librarian-focused sessions and tried to see as many new books and authors as I could (to post about later).

When I attend ALA Annual this weekend I’m still a school librarian, and I’ll definitely blog about the conference next week, but I have more of a podcaster and author/illustrator focus. Different hats, different activities. Here are some highlights . . .

Just One Flake Book Signing: Saturday June 24th @ 9am, ABRAMS booth (#3320)

I will be signing copies of my author/illustrator debut, Just One Flake, in the Abrams booth (#3320). The book doesn’t come out until October 10th, so you can be one of the first people to see the book (and it will be my first time seeing finished copies as well). I even made a special snowflake stamp for the signing:

The Yarn Podcast LIVE w/ Kate DiCamillo: Saturday, June 24th @ 11:30-12:20, PopTop Stage

This is going to be fun. The Tale of Despereaux turns 20 (!) this year, and I’m going to talk with Kate DiCamillo about it on the PopTop Stage. Don’t miss the special announcement at the end of our conversation. Kate has been a guest on The Yarn a couple times, and they are some of my favorite episodes ever.

Newbery/Caldecott/Legacy Banquet: Sunday, June 25th @ 7pm

The 2023 Newbery, Caldecott, and Legacy winners will receive their awards (and make some speeches) at this event and there’s no way I’d miss it.

Are you attending ALA Annual? What are you looking forward to?

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