Kids' Events and Story Time

Left Bank Books presents Dan Santat, Caldecott Medal-winning and New York Times-bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend and the road trip/time travel adventure Are We There Yet?

Join us for a conversation to celebrate all things awkward, funny, and poignant about middle school in Dan Santat's middle grade memoir A First Time for Everything! Dan will be in conversation with Amy from the book!

Santat will personalize and sign copies after the presentation! If you are unable to make it to the event, leave a personalization note in your online order.

Order your book from Left Bank Books to support local independent businesses! You can pick up your book at the event or have your signed book shipped to you after the event.

Watch the livestream on Left Bank Books' YouTube Page

About A First Time for Everything

A middle grade graphic memoir based on bestselling author and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat's awkward middle school years and the trip to Europe that changed his life.

Dan's always been a good kid. The kind of kid who listens to his teachers, helps his mom with grocery shopping, and stays out of trouble. But being a good kid doesn't stop him from being bullied and feeling like he's invisible, which is why Dan has low expectations when his parents send him on a class trip to Europe.

At first, he's right. He's stuck with the same girls from his middle school who love to make fun of him, and he doesn't know why his teacher insisted he come on this trip. But as he travels through France, Germany, Switzerland, and England, a series of first experiences begin to change him--first Fanta, first fondue, first time stealing a bike from German punk rockers... and first love.

Funny, heartwarming, and poignant, A First Time for Everything is a feel-good coming-of-age memoir based on New York Times bestselling author and Caldecott Medal winner Dan Santat's awkward middle school years. It celebrates a time that is universally challenging for many of us, but also life-changing as well.

About Dan Santat

Dan Santat is the Caldecott Medal-winning and New York Times-bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend and the road trip/time travel adventure Are We There Yet? His artwork is also featured in numerous picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels, including Dav Pilkey's Ricky Ricotta series. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and many, many pets.

Reviews

A Junior Library Guild selection

Left Bank Books, Schlafly Public Library, and Washington University Center for Humanities presents Raj Haldar, author of the #1 New York Times Bestselling picture book, P is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever.

Join us for read aloud and discussion of This Book is Banned, a hilarious and thoughtful new picture book that underscores the importance of the fight against censorship in schools and libraries across the country! Discover just what happens when we aren't allowed to freely share and explore ideas with this funny, self-referential picture book romp that kids (and grown-ups) will want to read over and over again.

Haldar will personalize and sign copies after the presentation! If you are unable to make it to the event, leave a personalization note in your online order.

Order your book from Left Bank Books to support local independent businesses! You can pick up your book at the event or have your signed book shipped to you after the event.

Watch the livestream on Left Bank Books' YouTube Page

About This Book is Banned

Banning books is downright dangerous-and if you manage to make it to the end of this book, you might just find out why.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author of P Is for Pterodactyl Raj Haldar comes a hilarious and thoughtful new picture book that underscores the importance of the fight against censorship in schools and libraries across the country

This is a book about dinosaurs. No it's not. Dinosaurs are not allowed.

Oh. This is now a book about avocados! Sorry. We deleted those too.

FINE. This book is about- nope! Forbidden! BANNED!

Maybe you shouldn't even try reading this book...But what could possibly be inside?

Discover just what happens when we aren't allowed to freely share and explore ideas with this funny, self-referential picture book romp that kids (and grown-ups) will want to read over and over again.

About Raj Haldar

Raj Haldar is the author of the #1 New York Times Bestselling picture book, P is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever. But, for close to a decade, he has been better known as Lushlife, the rapper, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. In that time, he's amassed a fervent global fanbase and released award-winning viral music videos that highlight his erudite lyrics. The Sunday New York Times describes his work as "an intoxicating mix of captivating rhymes with audacious, gorgeous production." So it should come as no surprise that Haldar has made the leap into the world of children's literature. His latest book entitled, This Book is Banned gives young readers a lighthearted entrypoint to begin understanding the dangers of book banning and censorship. His work has been featured by The Washington Post, Interview Magazine, VICE, Pitchfork, Village Voice, Mental Floss, BBC, SPIN and more!

Review Quotes

"Well done and adorably funny... a really great introduction to the subject of banned books for little ones." -- Youth Services Book Review, STARRED review
"A zany, fourth wall-breaking exploration of book banning." -- Kirkus Reviews

Left Bank Books presents Celebrity Storytime with Ellen Mayer, award-winning author of lively children's books that help build language and math skills. Join us for a book reading and singalong of songs to celebrate Gift & Box!

Mayer will personalize and sign copies after the presentation!

About Gift & Box

Follow the adventures of Gift and Box as they travel from Grandma's house to Sofia's front door!

Gift and Box are a package, dropped off with love from Grandma at the local post office. But being a package together on a long postal voyage is not always easy. There are ships to board, oceans to cross and bumpy truck rides! Can Gift and Box arrive in one piece?

Come along for the ride on this delightful journey of friendship that showcases the wonder of receiving a gift by mail, and the love both a grandma and child feel as they're connected by a simple package from far away.

About the Author

Ellen Mayer is an award-winning author of lively children's books that help build language and math skills. She has a background in early childhood education, as a researcher and early literacy home visitor. Ellen lives with her husband in Cambridge, Massachusetts. And while her grandchildren all live close by, she still mails them gifts in boxes they can open with delight.