By Cynthia Leitich Smith

What a thrill it was yesterday to attend author Bethany Hegedus‘s launch of Grandfather Gandhi, co-authored by Arun Gandhi, illustrated by Evan Turk (Atheneum, 2014) at BookPeople in Austin!

Take a look at how reading, art, music, and yes, cake came together to make it such a success!

Live music both before and after the presentation.

Henna tattoo table.

Henna tattoo.

An array of both healthy and sweet refreshments.

Modeling Grandfather Gandhi with Bethany.

Cakelustrator Akiko White begins assembling the masterpiece.

Akiko and Bethany

Authors Shana Burg, Nikki Loftin, Cynthia Levinson and Liz Garton Scanlon.

Author-illustrator team Tom and Janice Sheffleman with author Cynthia Levinson.

Author-illustrator Frances Hill Yansky with YA authors Brian Yansky and April Lurie.

Authors Anne Bustard, Greg Leitich Smith, April and newly agented mega talent Vanessa Lee.

Author-librarian Julie Lake and author-illustrator Mark G. Mitchell.

Author Jessica Lee Anderson (and family) with author-illustrator Jeff Crosby.

Bethany shared the personal back-story behind Grandfather Gandhi.

Bethany led children in a readers theater presentation; event also included children’s art display.

A closer look at the cake by Akiko.

Author Greg Leitich Smith, author-illustrator Don Tate and author Varian Johnson.

Bethany signs for author Lindsey Scheibe.

Bethany and Nikki

Cynsational Notes & Screening Room

Participating children were gifted with books by authors like Varsha Bajaj and Uma Krishnaswami. Bethany’s the event team, critiquers and other significant supporters were gifted with journals and glass bangle bracelets from Bethany’s recent trip with her husband to a family wedding in India.

This year BookPeople will continue working with Bethany in conjunction with the Austin Independent School District to integrate the book into its curriculum.

Check out the gorgeous book trailer for Grandfather Gandhi from Curious City.

Grandfather Gandhi creators Arun Gandhi, Bethany Hegedus and Evan Turk share their insights into the story behind the book and its illustrations from Simon & Schuster.