Sunday, May 8, 2011

The LA Times Festival of Books and Other Vacation Fun

Last Sunday, we went to the University of Southern California for the second day of the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. We tried to get there early to see Mo Willems read but we ran into some traffic issues and ended up getting there a bit late. Our first stop was at the DIESEL, A Bookstore tent where they featured books from Scholastic. We picked up


Copper by Kazu Kibuishi


and Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride by Pam Munoz and Brian Selznick.

This turned out to be a very good idea as our next stop was to see Ted Danson talk about his new non-fiction release,


Oceana. Z's books kept him occupied and we were able to listen to a very interesting talk about ocean conservation and activism. After the talk, my mom bought me a copy of Oceana and I was able to get it signed!


Next, we walked across campus to see a dinosaur exhibit that they had apparently packed up early. I was bummed but then we heard from Danielle (@the1stdaughter) from There's A Book and we were able to meet her and her husband before they left for the day. She was just as sweet as you would expect her to be and I'm hoping to see her again at the Kidlit Conference in Seattle this fall!

After the meet-up we had some lunch and then roamed a bit. Z and I stopped by the Chronicle Books tent but there was nothing there we had to have (except for one book that was far too large to carry around with us and we'll have to order it later). We also saw a few minutes of Daniel Kirk, author of the Library Mouse books, doing a bit of a reading and performing a song.

It was a really hot day and we didn't have a lot of energy and eventually we just decided to call it a day. Then, on our way out, we happened to see one more tent that had a familiar graphic novel on the table. It was A Cheese Related Mishap by Ray Friesen -- a book Z had borrowed from the library a couple of months ago and totally loved. Well, the author/illustrator was there and so Z was able to pick up two more of his books and got both signed --


Piranha Pancakes


and Cupcakes of Doom! He also got a poster and a penguin sketch from Friesen, who was a really nice guy. So, Z came out with the biggest haul from the Festival but I couldn't be happier with what I left with.

The rest of our trip was spent with friends and family, part of the time near the beach and part at Disneyland. So, I'll leave you with a few more photos --

Huntington Beach Pier on a slightly hazy day
And again on a clear day
Z getting ready to fight Darth Vader
Always celebrating books and enjoying life,
K and Z

10 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had a wonderful time! And it's fun meeting up with people you only know online.

    I've yet to go to a literary festival - hoping to go to one with some bookclub friends in October.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like a great time. Every year I tell myself I'll go to the LATFOB, and every year something comes in (in this case it was an unexpected deadline).

    Next time gadget, next time. . . .

    ReplyDelete
  3. Z got to fight Darth Vader!! How incredibly cool! I must not let my Little One see this or I will have to deliver the same thing. Sounds like a great getaway! (And I didn't realize Ted Danson was TED DANSON until I saw the photo.)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great time.
    I want to read Oceana too ;0)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tracy - This was my first big lit fest and it was fun to see the variety. I hope you get to go to one too!

    Kim - It was definitely worth a day. I hope next year works out!

    Jenners - OMG, yes ... and Darth Maul and the Stormtroopers. He was so wound up after that. (And yes, it was THE Ted Danson.)

    Lynda - I hope to get to it soon!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Looks and sounds like a fantastic time for all.

    BTW...Whit Devil has my attention; nice review.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm such a slacker about getting around to commenting...it's horrible! But I just had to say thank you! It really was so great to meet you and I really really really hope we get up to Seattle. If not only for the conference than maybe permanently. Fingers Crossed!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Diane - It was really nice in the sun!

    Danielle - I loved meeting you as well and hope to see you again soon!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I gotta say ... I'm jealous of you for so many reasons! First, I wish I could meet Danielle in person! She's one of my fave bloggers and, of course, friend! Second, it looks like you had a blast! I'm just thinking how much my son would love to be fighting Darth Vader. I'm sure I could say more, but I will stop there for now!

    ReplyDelete