writerjenn

Last Friday, the award-winning Jessica Dimuzio and I stopped by our local independent children's bookstore, the cozy Children's Book World in Haverford, PA. It has all the touches that make independents so special: the Help Wanted sign on the door says, "Must love children's books," and the people working in the store know the stock because they love to read. They host events celebrating children's books and their authors (watch for a Corduroy anniversary party on April 5, Lois Lowry signing her book The Willoughbys on April 16, and a visit from Angelina Ballerina's Katherine Holabird and Helen Craig on April 21). When you walk in the door, you don't have to wait long for a staff member to ask, "May I help you?" If you want recommendations, they've got 'em. And if you prefer to browse the shelves at your leisure, you're welcome.

After a chat with the store's gracious owner Hannah Schwartz, I gravitated to the YA section. While in the store, Jessica and I also ran into local writer Kathye Fetsko Petrie, author of Flying Jack. Ms. Petrie told us about Flying Jack's journey to publication, showed us some of her favorite picture books, and let us in on the Local LIT website, a resource listing literary news, local authors, and upcoming author events in the Philadelphia area.

So, as you can see, I left the store with a lot more than the new books I carried home!