National Book Festival - September 26, 2009

Graced by the wonderful art by the talented AG Ford, MICHELLE hits the bookstands today, but crowds at the National Festival of Books in Washington, DC got a sneak preview on Saturday. I was honored to represent Oregon in the Pavilion of the States. Thousands of people streamed by throughout the day. It was great to see so many parents and kids celebrating books and reading. Oregon's contribution to the map that folks were trying to fill with a sticker or stamp from each state was a stamp of Ramona. With 130,000 people attending, it's hard to say how many we stamped in our booth, but it was a lot!

The most heard-question when seeing the cover: "Is Michelle from Oregon?"

Answer: No, Chicago (though her brother, Craig, coaches basketball at OSU). But I am the author and I AM from Oregon.

And then there was the most-heard comment about First Family -- "Oooh, look at Bo!"

In addition it was great to share other books, including Stagecoach Sal, Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek, Apples to Oregon, and the recent Oregon Book Award winner, Keep On! The Story of Matthew Henson, Co-Discoverer of the North Pole.