Enjoyed My Day in the City

  The Woman's Day Panel Discussion "The Next Bestseller: The ABC's of Creating a Children's Book" was just great. I am so delighted that I was invited and that I did attend this session. This morning I noticed that my invite stuff was posted  on one of my member sites. You never know what is important and what is not to other people. http://naww.blogspot.com/2006/05/womans-day-and-scholastic-abcs-of.html

I had not been in the SOHO area in such a long time. It brought back good (and very young) memories. Later that day I did a lot of walking and remembering. I passed my old bosses street, she once told me that the show "Taxi" was filmed in-part in the garage down the street from her. I went Washington Square; found the glorious mews neighborhood I used to covet, actually, I still do. I peeked into the windows of some of the amazing fashion houses. I cannot tell you how tired I was when I returned home. Oh. I saw Balducci's. Oh my gosh, when we used to stop by to pick up lunch fixings it was just a small shop with wonderful goodies. They had magical fruit (LOL) Now it's beyond belief. Have you ever had peanut butter made on the spot? I did at Balducci's. Boy, I never tried that again, I like my peanut butter drowned in oils and easy to swallow. :-)

It was very cool to see Whoopi Goldberg. Did not understand the ragged jeans and long wrinkled shirt, but that's what makes her who she is, isn't? Plus she is so dedicated to what she believes in. Children are important to her. I plan to buy her next children's book titled Whoopi's Big Book of Manners.  She laughed and said that it's not so much for the children, but for the adults, she figures "please" and "thank you" should be a part of everyday conversations. Since it will adults reading to children, maybe they will 'get it.' I totally agree with Whoopi. You hold a door for some people and they walk through without a word, like it's your job. :-( Deborah Norville made an excellent discussion moderater. I liked that she was 'real' and not as slick and polished as she is on Inside Edition.

The panel was made up of some high end people in the industry, but the star of this event was Cathy Molitoris, winner of the 2005 Woman's Day/Scholastic Book Clubs' "I Want to Be a Children's Book Writer" Contest for her book, I've Got Music. I just loved this book. Unfortunately, it was not among the four (count em 4!) books given to attendees. The Woman's Day/Scholastic Panel is below. Yep. I was thoroughly impressed.

Amy Berkower, Literary Agent and President, Writers House LLC

Jennifer M. Brown, Children's Reviews Editor, Publishers Weekly

Brett Helquist, Illustrator of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Arthur A.Levine, U.S. editor of the Harry Potter series, editor and publisher, Arthur A. Levine Books

Ann M. Martin, Author of The Baby-Sitters Club series and Newbery Honoree for A Corner of the Universe

Andrea Davis Pinkney, Vice President and Publisher, Hardcover and Early Childhood Books, Scholastic