Flat Stanley

If you are a teacher, parent or librarian, you are probably aware of who Flat Stanley is and what it means to be presented with the opportunity to share your part of the world with a flattened version of your child, or a child you know.

My cousin's daughter - who is in the second grade - sent me a flattened version of herself and kindly asked me to share the sights of California with her (and her classmates). I was thrilled that she thought of me and even more excited to share with her the travel experiences that I was able to encounter on behalf of Kane/Miller.

I included photographs in the return shipment back to Armstrong Elementary from my recent trip to Dallas (TLA), Las Vegas (a personal adventure) and Atlanta (IRA).

The great thing about the Flat Stanley project is that it provides young people with the opportunity to learn about other parts of our world. I realized that this concept is not unlike the books Kane/Miller provides.

As a young reader, and even now, I love discovering new places and adventures while reading a book. Oftentimes I learn more about myself and the way others live in different parts of the world, or within our own country.

If you have a travel experience that you would like to share with Kane/Miller readers (especially if it ties in with a children's book), please do. We're always looking for more ways to invite young people to explore the world around them.

Sightseeing in Atlanta

We've been in Atlanta for less than 48 hours and already, we've either driven or walked past a few places that I would love to spend time in:

Georgia Aquarium
The World's Largest and Most Engaging Aquarium



MODA
Museum of Design Atlanta

Later this week, we'll be highlighting several of our customers in the Atlanta area. More cities will be featured in upcoming blog posts.

International Reading Association

Kane/Miller arrived in Atlanta today for the 53rd Annual Convention hosted by the International Reading Association.

If you're in Atlanta this week for the convention, please stop by and say hello. We'll be in Booth 2357.

We'll be highlighting our recent releases from Spring 2008 as well as our recent award-winning titles: Ziba Came on a Boat, The Zoo, New Clothes for New Year's Day and My Cat Copies Me.

K/M Kidlit Drink Nites

Now that our conference schedule is posted online for the first half of 2008, I'd like to request that those of you attending the following events Save the Date for an official Kane/Miller Kidlit Drink Nite.

Illustration from Jukebox PLA - Minneapolis, MN Wednesday, March 26th IRA - Atlanta, GA Wednesday, May 7th BEA - Los Angeles, CA Thursday, May 29th ALA - Anaheim, CA Friday, June 27th Details and venues will be announced on the official invites which will be posted to the K/M Kidlit blog.

Where in the World?

Kane/Miller was not present at the recent Mid-Winter Conference held by ALA in Philadelphia, but we do plan on attending even more publishing events this year including, PLA, CABE, TLA, IRA as well as making our usual appearance at BEA and ALA. And, since the dates and locations have already been set, you can guarantee that we will be in Denver next January.

We'll see you soon!

Literacy Festivals Around the World

In preparation for Kane/Miller's upcoming participation in publishing events such as IRA, BEA, and ALA (among many others) it occurred to me that I'm not aware of all of the international literary events that take place.

After some quick research (What would we do without Google?), I found a link and listing of Six of the Best Literary Festivals (according to Harper's Bazaar). I won't be attending any of them - at least not this year - but it's good to know what's happening in the literary world, nonetheless.

1. Galle Literary Festival, Sri Lanka
2. Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias, Columbia
   
3. Wexford Book Festival, Ireland
4. Festa Literaria Internacional de Parati, Brazil
5. Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Bali
6. Hay Festival Segovia, Spain
   

Don't miss FLIGHT 001 - for all your travel needs.

Bon Voyage!