Friends:
From Tuesday through Friday of last week, I was at the Texas Library Association conference in Houston. On the first night I was at TLA, they had an opening reception. I was there demonstrating stories from my forthcoming book, Handmade Tales 2, at the ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited booth. This is me with a mouse hat made out of a paper plate from the Japanese story, “The Mouse’s Wedding.”
Wednesday was the first full day at the exhibit hall. It was packed. Librarians crowded the floor at every major publisher’s booth.
In the morning, I signed books at Pelican Publishing. The booth was busy! Yay! This librarian won an award and came just that day to accept the award at TLA. Woo hoo!
I ran into my good friend, Peter Brown, who was signing his Lucy books (Children Make Terrible Pets and YOU WILL BE MY FRIEND). Go Peter!
In the afternoon on Wednesday, I signed books with ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited. Here I am with the amazing Anastasia Suen and the terrific Toni Buzzeo. Both of these awesome authors were 2011 Picture Book Month champions. Yay!
That evening, after a fabuloso fajita dinner at Pappasito’s with my publisher, Pelican Publishing, and authors Tom McDermott and Laurie Knowlton (Thanks Laura Midgett and John Scheyd), Peter Brown invited me to hang out with some cool Kidlit authors/illustrators. Paul Zelinsky is so warm and witty. He will be a 2012 Picture Book Month Champion. 
My phone’s flash was being wacky… Sorry!
Adam Rex was also great fun and totally hilarious. We’re Twitter buds so I asked him to pose to look like his Twitter avatar. Lol Adam will also be a 2012 Picture Book Month Champion.
On Thursday, my editor from Libraries Unlimited, Sharon Coatney, gave me a wonderful surprise — a gorgeous handmade sterling silver bracelet. I love it so much! It’s my new favorite. She knows me so well, that I love my bling! 
That morning, I signed books with Pelican again. I was only supposed to sign for one hour but I ended up signing for 2.5 hours because it was that busy! Thank goodness no one was after me. Look at that table of books…
The afternoon was filled with busy book signing at ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited. Then it was time for some fun! I had dinner and drinks with my crew from ABC-Clio. Look at these gargantuan meatballs!
Then Alexis Hammond (the blonde), Shannon Hysell (the brunette), and I unwound at a super hip lounge. What a great night! Aren’t they pretty?!
On Friday, I signed books in the morning with Pelican. The exhibit hall closed at noon so I rushed around like mad trying to see everything. Finally, when it was time for me to leave to get to Baton Rouge for my daughter, Soleil’s senior art show, I ran into this… a flat tire!
The hotel referred me to a local mechanic shop and it only took them 15 minutes to fix the tire. All’s well that ends well! On the way back, I stopped at a rest stop just outside Lake Charles and caught this beautiful picture!
I made it to my daughter’s art show and the whole family was there! Look at stunning Soleil!
TLA 2012 was a fun, successful conference for me. I had a blast seeing wonderful Texan librarians and making new friends. Next year, it’s off to Fort Worth!
Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
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