They Think of Everything

Anne Ylvisaker read from and signed copies of The Luck of the Buttons this afternoon at The Red Balloon Bookshop. The celebratory cake displayed the book cover image and was covered with real buttons and buttons in icing along its edges. On the table where Anne signed books, there was a pot of artificial grass in which a tombstone similar to the one that inspired her main character's name (Tugs Button, not Thos. Britton). In her introduction of Anne, co-owner Carol talked about the blue Brownie camera she had as a girl. In every way, the staff thought of all the best things to make it a special day for Anne.

And it extended to me as well. Waiting for me at the desk were the copies of Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt and Libraries of Minnesota (more on that tomorrow) I had requested. Another staff person handed me a list of potential storytellers for upcoming Family Reading Nights. One more person said I could send an email message to get their contact information. The co-owner shared her stories of the Julie Andrews visit on Thursday night. A manager filled out the personalization slips for my copies of Friends: True Stories of Extraordinary Animal Friendships. How I love going to a bookshop where they think of everything.