Philadelphia was so beautiful! I was really grateful to have the chance to go and to take part in the American Library Association Midwinter conference and to see so many wonderful people. Thank you, Scholastic.

My daughter came with me.  We started by seeing a little of Philadelphia.



Me and Ben



The Liberty Bell with Independence Hall in the background.



Julia, and I had Philly Cheese Steaks at this fun little restaurant. We went out to supper later with the Scholastic team and the other authors. It was so lovely to spend time with my editors and the people who work on our books.


Authors:  Jon J. Muth, Julia Donaldson, Lucy Christopher, me, Natalie Lloyd, Deborah Wiles, Rodman Philbrick

At Scholastic's reception the next day, we did readers' theater in two groups. In my group were authors: Julia Donaldson, Jon J. Muth, Rodman Philbrick and me. Julia's book is "Superworm" and the worm saves the day in different ways. We all had parts to play (and costumes!). I was the bee. For the bee, Superworm becomes a jump rope.

Which was cute until I realized I had to actually skip rope with that huge puppet.



I'd worn boots and a skirt. We were on a small, portable stage. I haven't jumped rope in years. And that puppet is thick.

As a former preschool and first-grade teacher, I had no qualm about donning the bee costume, but I worried all morning that I was going to catch my boot on the puppet and fall off the side of the stage. It certainly would have made for a memorable moment for the audience, but not the memories I'd want them to have.



No Olympian will be more proud of their glory moments than I was to successfully skip that worm! After that, the rest of reading seemed so easy!



We spoke in a beautiful room. And right in front of my daughter and me were two members of my 2007 Newbery Committee. I love them both so much.



I'd never seen a book of mine at a conference with star bookmarks before. I'll admit I got choked up. :)