Many years ago, when I was a member of NorBAG (Northern Books Arts Guild) while living in California, a talented print artist, Brenda Tuxford, and I created a handmade book - the cover, the illustrations, the type, the bookmark!
Fiona's Tea Party is a story about a girl whose parents live at a Victorian bed & breakfast, who coerces the guests to have a tea party with her since her parents are so busy tending to their full house. Brenda's illustrations are what you might see in a dark, children's book of an earlier era of England. Since she loved cats, a cat creeps into every page of her drawings.
Brenda has since passed on, but this signed book - or shall I say piece of art - is still available. It is listed on
Amazon for $300, or you can view it in person at Eureka Books in Eureka, California.
Mary Nethery signed her new book, The Famous Nini: A Mostly True Story of How a Plain White Cat Became a Star, at Eureka Books last Saturday, and a kitty from the Humane Society was on hand to greet the attendees. In support of the Humane Society and in celebration of Adopt a Cat Month, Eureka Books is giving a free copy of Mary's new book to those who adopt a cat from this shelter. Your new cat will love to hear the story of Nini over and over again.
If you're looking for personalized gifts, come to Eureka Books in Old Town this Saturday afternoon. The store is having a Local Author Festival where you'll be able to find everything from children's books to gardening books.
1:00 to 2:00 pm: Children's story hour with Mary Nethery, Natasha Wing, Marie Raphael, and Pam Service.
2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Booksigning with the children's authors.
3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Booksigning with the adult authors (or authors of books for non-children!) Ray Raphael, Amy Stewart, Cecelia Holland, Terry McLaughlin, Linda and Matt Morehouse, David Hobbs, and Bill Morrill.
Us northern California authors happily signed our new books at a fundraiser during Fortuna Library Day. Eureka Books provided the books and a percentage of the profit went to the Fortuna library.
Natasha Wing is celebrating her latest release in her Night Before series, "The Night Before St. Patrick's Day." Mary Nethery's book, "Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival", written with Kirby Larson, received a 2009 IRA Teacher's Choice Award. And Barbara Kerley's new biography, "What to do About Alice?" is a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book.
Thanks to our fans in Fortuna who stopped by to purchase books and visit with us. And to Jane DeHaan for organizing this event, and the Fortuna Library for hosting the venue. If you missed the signing, another great way to support the library is to check out books!
Photo by Carol Kinser
Hey, Tash, the cat's name is Orion Esparza! He was the Ambassador for the Humboldt County Humane Society and the Host with the Most! He greeted everyone as they came in and made all guests feel at home. He was the hit of the evening!