Join in Jean Reidy‘s Light Up the Library online auction celebrating the release of her latest picture book Light Up the Night, illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine (Hyperion, 2011) and benefiting the library at Musana Children’s Home in Iganga, Uganda!

The auction will take place from Nov. 7 to Nov. 18. Highlights include:

Agent Critique: a critique of the first 50 pages of a middle grade/YA novel or five picture books by literary agent Erin Murphy;

Amazing Buffalo Combo Pack: (a) an author-signed copy of Teach Your Buffalo to Play Drums by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Daniel Jennewein (Balzer + Bray, 2011); (b) a buffalo tote bag; (c) 30 buffalo bookmarks; (d) a author-and-illustator signed copy of the companion book Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? (Balzer + Bray, 2010); (e) a buffalo sketch;

Classroom/Library Dream Package: (a) two copies of Librarian on the Roof! A True Story by M.G. King, illustrated by Stephen Gilpin (Albert Whitman, 2010); (b) discussion guide; (c) Meet the Author–M.G. King–Skype Visit with Q&A for classroom/library; (d) critique of one student’s nonfiction short story;

Picture Book Giveaway & Manuscript Critique: copy of This Tree Counts! by Alison Formento, illustrated by Sarah Snow (Albert Whitman, 2010) & a picture book manuscript critique by Alison.

Plus, a 30-page critique of a middle grade novel by Mindy Bartek, a picture book manuscript critique by Nancy Coffelt, a picture book critique and crescent moon earrings by Tara Lazar, Pick a Peck o’ Picture Book Critiques from Liz Garton Scanlon, Tamara Ellis Smith, Laurie Thompson, Deborah Underwood and Audrey Vernick, five MG-YA critiques, five authors (Jeannie Mobley, Jennifer Nielsen, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, Jeanne Ryan and L.B. Schulman), Critique of the Month Club (Jennifer Nielsen, Kristin Wolden Nitz, Jeanne Ryan, Peter Adam Salomon and Carrie Gordon Watson)…

items for baby, home, jewelry & inspiration, original artwork, and much more!

Visit http://lightupthelibrary.blogspot.com/

Cynsational Notes

Congratulations to Jean Reidy on the release of Light Up the Night, illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine (Hyperion, 2011)! From the promotional copy: 

When it’s time to sleep, it’s nice to know there’s a place that’s safe.  In a cozy house, in a comfy bed, under a blanket that’s white and red under stars so bright they light up the night in your own little piece of the universe.

In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews cheers: “The coziest of quilts becomes a rocket ship in this gorgeous, mesmerizingly rhythmic read-aloud that explores a boy’s small place in a vast world …A dreamy-yet-instructive ode to the universe.” 

Don’t miss the free downloadable curriculum/activity guide!

See also PiBoIdMo Day 4: Jean Reidy’s 5 Unusual Places to Find Inspiration from Tara Lazar at Picture Book Idea Month. Peek: “Listen carefully to your life. Do you hear the thump bump of your feet hitting the stairs each time you go up and down? Do you hear the crunch and shush of your shovel in crusty snow?”