National Book Festival Part Two

Sorry it took a few days to get back to finishing my post about my experience at the National Book Festival.  There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day.  Trying to get myself on a schedule to be able to work on everything.

When I left off I was waiting in line for Peter Brown to sign my two copies Creepy Carrots! (Which by the way is a great book!)  I was waiting by myself, while my friends listened to other authors.  The line moved slowly, but it was such a great day I didn't mind waiting!  I also had a great view to keep me occupied while I waited.  I also am a huge people watcher, so this was a great opportunity!

It was so great to see Peter Brown in person.  He was a very gracious person who took the time to talk to each person and listen.  I wish I could have heard him speak.  It was funny when I was tweeting about seeing him at the book festival and friend of my was surprised that he was there because she had just seen him in Indianapolis the day before.  To my delight he tweeted back to the both of us!  (I just LOVE Twitter!!!) 

As soon as I got my books signed by Peter Brown, I rushed on over to stand in line to see Tom Angleberger!  I love, love, love his books.  They are always checked out of the library.  Tom really impressed me last school year when I had two students write to him.  I emailed their letters to him and both boys had a response that afternoon.  Of course, as I was waiting in line I had to talk books.  I had two parents in line behind me, that once they found out I was a Media Specialist, were asking for book suggestions.  This made the time past quickly.  Tom started his signing early and excited the line by running up and down thanking everyone for coming!  I tweeted the picture that I took, and he tweeted back that he thought it made him look like a loon, but it was great to meet me.

As I was leaving I stopped to listen to Mary Pope Osborne and her sister.  It was interesting to hear that she was only contracted to write four Magic Tree House books.

A few helpful hints that I learned:  

1.  Bring a backpack!  The bag that I carried the books in after I bought them left a bruise on my shoulder.

2. Buy the books ahead of time!

3. Have friends that will stand in other lines for you!

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda

National Book Festival Part One

I know that is has been a while since I've posted.  My focus has been starting school and getting settled into the routine again.  Teachers have to adjust, just like the kids do.  I'm feeling a bit more settled now, so I can start posting again.  I've got a few posts to catch up on, like our QR Code Scavenger Hunt and our Dot Day Activities.  I will be sending home a few permission slips to use some pictures that I took during those activities on the blog.  

This post is part one of two, about my trip up to the National Book Festival in Washington D.C. on Saturday September 22nd.  It is a great event and I highly suggest you go next year if you haven't been.  This was my first year and I LOVED it!

I went with Nurse Page and another nurse friend of hers.  We took the Metro into D.C. and we then walked two blocks because we couldn't figure out what train to get on when we had to change trains.  It was a beautiful day so walking was fine.  This was the sight that we first saw when we got close to the mall!

My friends and I wandered around the different tents.  I made sure to stop by the Scholastic tent to visit my friend Brenda, who was working there.  But soon I realized if I wanted to get some books signed, I needed to go buy the books.  Well, let me tell you that was an experience!!  I found the books that I wanted and got in line very fast, because it was LONG!  I was starting to worry because I was trying to get to have Peter Brown to sign my books.  Luckily I was out and in line in time.  There were so many people waiting to get books signed.  At least I had some great scenery to look at while I waited. 


I'll post part two tomorrow, as well as some helpful hints I learned about the festival.

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda