And the book was launched!

There were bags:

purple goodie bags to match the cover!

There were cookies:

these were the cookies to serve at the event, not the ones in the bags.  The ones in the bags were moon cookies! These were stars, fish and rabbits, all motifs in the book!

And there was a baby:

who was not as excited about the book as I was!

And then the day was here! Book launch day!

People came! Lots' o people!

I told one of the stories in the book:

I tried something new this time, an interactive reading

And I had the audience help me:

those are the 6 suns

that a hero archer must shoot down (no suns were harmed in the reading of this story)

Then there was a signing:

those plates of cookies were empty at the end!

With new and old friends:

Ms. Tien Chen, a teacher, and some of her students who helped me at the launch (Tien helped write wang symbols on people and the students helped hand out the cookies and bags)

Surprisingly, some readers brought me gifts:

This talented baker made me a cookie bouquet!

isn't is amazing! I can't believe how perfect she go the colors of Dumpling Days 

There was a very, very long line:

but everyone was so patient and understanding, especially when I had to take a break for the baby! 

But the people at the end thought it was worth the wait:

after a rough patch in the middle of the event, Rain Dragon recovered her good spirits and might actually be interested in the book now. At least interested in eating it. 

Which means Starry River of the Sky is launched! Thanks so much to all who came and helped send it out in the world!

on my desk monday

These are the mooncake molds and cookie cutters that were used to make the mooncake cookies and other yummies at my booklaunch last Sunday!  Full report on the booklaunch later (spoiler-- it was great!).

Book Launch Treats!

What are these? No, not mooncakes! They are moon-cookies! Specially made for the goodie bags for Sunday's booklaunch!

Originally, I had thought of having star cookies (and there might still be some served) but I realized that this year's Moon Festival is on the same day as my book launch! I actually didn't plan it this way, but I think it is perfect. The Moon Festival is all about getting together with friends and family and giving thanks. And my book party is pretty much the same thing!

Traditional mooncakes  are, of course, the traditional treat and I will be serving some at the party. But, it was a bit of a stretch to make/purchase the traditional ones for each goodie bag. Plus, mooncakes can be an acquired taste--I wasn't sure if my young readers would appreciate lotus see paste! So, instead, the goodie bags have shortbread cookies molded into mooncake shapes! Aren't they lovely? This, I admit, could not have been done without the help of the Sasquatch's mom (Mother Sasquatch?) as Rain Dragon has made my baking time very limited.

So, when you bite into one of these delicious mooncake cookies this Sunday,  say a special thanks to her!

on my desk monday

Starry River of the Sky posters for the goodie bags at my book launch on Sunday! You're coming, right?

This week is full of preparation...stay tuned tomorrow when I release the book trailer!!

Come to my book launch & I might paint your portrait!

Starry River of the Sky is almost here! I'm planning a glorious book launch! Instead of my usual talk & reading, I'm planning an interactive reader's theatre & game! If all goes as planned, you'll hear a Chinese legend, shoot imaginary arrows and be rewarded with the moon...or at least a super starry goodie bag! And what makes those goody bags starry?

Well, in two of those bags will be a copper coin (as well as other goodies, like a Starry River of the Sky poster!). If your bag has the copper coin in it, you are a grand prize winner!!!


The Grand Prize? I will paint your portrait (or your child's or your dog's...whomever you like) for you to keep forever and ever.
 So, if your bag has a coin, I will paint your portrait:

It would be a portrait of you, not the baby!

Wouldn't that be a fun thing to have? Or the perfect gift for someone (with the book)? Well, come to the book launch and it could be your portrait I'll paint!

Goodie bags are limited so reserve yours by reserving your book, but as usual I'll make extras--so come one, come all!

 Sunday, September 30th at 3pm Porter Square Books
 25 White Street, Cambridge MA
 617-491-2220 (reserve your copy today, which automatically reserves your goodie bag-- no tickets this time!)

Hope to see you!

 Not local? As usual, you can pre-order your book from Porter Square and I will sign it for you on launch day plus send along some extra goodies (probably not the cookies, though). And keep your eyes open--I'm having a virtual book party on October 2nd! Yes, games and prizes (special edition pocket pacys!) for even those who aren't nearby. You'll have a shot at winning a custom portrait, too!

Save the date for Starry River of the Sky!

As I may have mentioned, I am getting very excited about the release of Starry River of the Sky! I'm so excited that I decided I must have another book launch, even though I had thought the Dumpling Days launch would be my last. But with Rain Dragon proving herself to be a nice baby and this book being so important to me, I thought I'd risk it. Also, this might very well really be the last book launch, at least at my beloved Porter Square Books, as we're thinking of moving out of the area...

 SO, save the date for the Starry River of the Sky Book Launch:

 Sunday, September 30th at 3pm
Porter Square Books
25 White Street, Cambridge MA
 617-491-2220 (reserve your copy today, which automatically reserves your goodie bag, by the way)


 As usual, I will plan the most awesomest goodie bags I can (I am thinking star-shaped cookies!) with many prizes (perhaps special edition pocket pacys?). Stay tuned for next month when I reveal all the details.

 Not local? As usual, you can pre-order you book from Porter Square and I will sign it for you on launch day plus send along some extra goodies (probably not the cookies, though). And watch for the online giveaways I'm planning, too!