About the Book Festival (Part One)

I enjoyed the book festival very much. What in particular? It was a gorgeous, sunny day and all seemed right with the world. With the sun shining brightly it felt like Spring, not Fall. I couldn't wait to get my books set up on my half of my table, and circulate among the authors and illustrators before the crowd came scampering in.

Of course, I couldn't wait to see Steven Kellogg. When I did see him coming up the stairs, I had to hold myself back from charging up to him and introducing myself. I decided to be "mature" regardless of my propeller hat. I waited until he settled in at his table with a hot coffee cup at arm's reach and then I raced over to his table

Steven was busy the rest of the morning and afternoon signing books and adding charming graphics before actually signing each book. He was too busy for me to tell exactly how much his books meant to me as an elementary teacher and later as a parent of two girls. We loved his books, especially his illustrations. Besides being totally enchanted by The Island of the Skog, Can I Keep Him? was another big hit with me. The kids and I really liked the repetition in the story and the amazing illustrations. Years ago, when I tutored children at the RIT's Learning Development Center, I used a number of Steven's books.

When I left to do a writing workshop in the One Busy Bookworm Place, I also left my buddy, Chet Fery, behind to man the counter. He did an excellent job of spreading the word about "Silly" Sottile, and he sold a good number of books in my absence. Chet is outstanding at making friends and networking with others. I didn't worry about the "store" at all while I was gone making new friends on the first floor at MCC. It's wonderful to have friends like Chet that you can count on! I am a very blessed person. This shall be continued tomorrow.

Steven Kellogg Comes to Town! (Part One) Steven!

If you don't already know, Steven Kellogg is my all-time favorite children's author. He has illustrated/published over 90 books. I first met him when he was a young author at the first school that I taught at in 1978. As the years rolled by, I bought a number of his books and shared them with my class and two daughters. It all started with The Island of the Skog for us. And I was smart enough as an elementary teacher to read picture books to my students, no matter what grade I was teaching that year—from grades 2-6.


Steven Kellogg defined a “magic book” as when the text combines with the illustrations in a way that was totally balanced, woven together like a magical carpet which sweeps the reader away on an imaginative journey. His books did that for my students, children, and many others.

So it was great fun seeing him at the 2009 Rochester Children’s Book Festival meeting people and signing books. He actually drew, as per usual, a mini-picture on every book he signed and smiled cheerfully at each person he met. I can only imagine what kind of cramps he had in his writing hand after that. He signed books for six straight hours with one major "break." He did a show for 30 minutes where he drew poster board illustrations of his latest book for an adoring audience!

Did we get a chance to talk? I briefly talked to him before he started signing books, when the crowd hadn’t yet formed. I happily asked a passerby to take the photo which is posted with this blog.

His face has "weathered" the years, but he looks like a Greek god to me. Just add the robe. What do you think?

The Island of the Skog and More!

As many of you know, the 2009 Children’s Book Festival is this Saturday at Monroe Community College. The RACWI group is trying to get the word out that "This wonderful family event gives children the opportunity to meet many award winning top children’s authors and illustrators.The festival has activities suitable for children of all ages including author and illustrator presentations, picture book readings, workshops, arts and crafts, the Read to Me dogs from Lollypop Farm, Star Wars costumers plus hundreds of books to browse in The Mall."

As I was Internet surfing during the final World Series game, I read about the events on KOA newsletter, a superb newsletter about the upcoming events for kid produced by Debra Ross, and I screamed with joy, "OMG!" I can't believe that I will have the pleasure of seeing Steven Kellogg! He was the first children's book author that I ever met! He came to my school, which is now Hope Hall in Gates, and illustrated on poster paper ISLAND OF THE SKOG for the audience, as he told the story from memory.

He wore a powder blue jacket and he seemed to have enjoyed himself. Of course he was young then, just like me. And I promised myself that someday I would be reading to kids too from beyond my classroom.

I befriended Steven. That is to say, I talked to him and wrote him. He wrote me a very long letter in handwriting about getting published. (Computers were not popular yet.) I have the letter in the archives. He also visited my school another time too, before it was closed in 1980.

I will be standing tall next to him for a photo opportunity on Saturday. I can’t wait to see him again and an amazing crowd (4,000+ strong!) of children’s book lovers. It's not back to the future, but it is back seeing a fantastic author and man, Steven Kellogg. Of course, that's him in the above photo and below. We all had more hair back then.

He wore a powder blue jacket and he seemed to have enjoyed himself. We were young then. And I promised myself that someday I would be reading to kids too from beyond my classroom.

I befriended Steven. That is to say, I talked to him and wrote him. He wrote me a very long letter in handwriting about getting published. (Computers were not popular yet.) I have the letter in the archives. He also visited my school another time too, before it was closed in 1980.

I will be standing tall next to him for a photo opportunity on Saturday. I can’t wait to see him again and an amazing crowd (4,000+ strong!) of children’s book lovers!!!

It feels terrific to have come full circle from teacher in awe of authors to being one at one of the best festivals in the country! I am very happy and thankful for that. I am grateful to many people for all of this.

That topic would make a good blog...

A Box of Books (Poem & More)

Forgive me, but I am going to set this poem up for you. Two years ago, I was waiting for my special delivery books to arrive for the Rochester Children's Book Festival held early in November every year. I couldn't wait to open the box and bring the self-published poems to the festival the next day. Lori Aman (painter/ cartoonist/artist/friend) had drawn wonderful sketches for each poem. At best, previous readers had compared PICTURE POETRY ON PARADE! to the work of Shel Silverstein. We hoped they thought the same for WAITING TO SEE THE PRINCIPAL AND OTHER POEMS.

I was going nuts waiting because there was a chance they wouldn't come, and I would have no new book. So to curb my insanity I took out a yellow legal pad and a pencil, and I started to write about my ordeal of waiting. I purposely made it long because I remember a very long poem in Marlo Thomas' FREE TO BE YOU AND ME about "Housework" that I thought was delightfully long and boring, just like housework. And I used the "and" numerous times in the following poem to drag it out in what I  hope is a pleasant way. Some writers might even say I used that monster word "a lot" of times.

My books did come, and I signed and sold 40 of them at the book festival the next day, but you probably already guessed that. Here's the poem...

A Box of Books

~ Joe Sottile

A box of books will arrive today.

The air is cold and crisp.

The skies are sunny and clear.

But it’s below 50 degrees.

I rake and rake because…

A box of books will arrive today

and I must keep busy-busy so that

I don’t spend every second dwelling

on the contents of that box

that the UPS truck will bring.

A box of books will arrive today

with a feeling of Christmas tucked inside

and gifts galore from floor to ceiling,

but this box contains the same present

again and again, 25 in all.

A box of books will arrive today

and I can’t wait to rip open the box

and run my fingers over each one.

I just hope the truck isn’t late

and day doesn’t turn into night.

A box of books will arrive today

if I am patient and steadfast.

And then I'll be ready for the book festival

at the local community college

with 48 illustrators and authors.

A box of books will arrive today,

and there will be more than 400 books to browse

at the College Center, including mine,

if only it arrives on time.

I am patiently waiting, patiently waiting.

A box of books will arrive today,

which will be my golden key

to the Rochester Children’s Book Festival

and all of the amazing hands-on events.

I want my picture with Clifford's Big Red Dog.

A box of books will arrive today.

It is getting kind of late.

The kid inside of me is worried.

The sun Is sinking into the horizon.

Where is that Big Brown Truck?

A box of books will arrive today,

but I am in the bathroom getting stomach medicine

instead of creating stacks of colorful leaves.

What is that I hear rumbling up the driveway?

To the window I run! To window I run!

A box of books has arrived today!

“Hurrah!”

“Hurrah!”

“Hurrah!”

“Thank God! Thank God!"

I will get my books.

I will hug this man.

I will thank him for his speedy delivery.

Now I have a new book for my readers!

A new book! A new book! Hurrah!

Where Is Your Haven?

Where is your escape from the real world? Your shelter? Your retreat? Your piece of heaven? Your personal haven?

I know where my wife’s haven is? It actually has two addresses. One is in Orlando Florida, and the other is Oak Island, North Carolina. She loves Disney World. Marilyn feels like a little kid there, full of wonder and excitement for all that’s there—from the colorful characters to the fireworks that light up the sky at night. That’s her idea of a vacation, or the real world at home where the laundry gathers and bills mount. She even likes to take me with her on excursions to Disney. Even though Tigger is rather hyperactive, I don’t mind taking a picture with Tigger and my happy wife.

If she can’t be at Disney World, then the next best place is Oak Island. The first time we stayed at Oak Island it was at a “cottage” that was right on the ocean. The land itself had to be worth over a million dollars. We felt “rich” staying there. We had lots of room, sunlight, and ocean. Our five grandkids visited us for part of our stay. We all had a grand time. We treasured our time together and took lots of photos, but I will spare you the family album. But the time certainly flew by at the sea.

Where’s my haven? My haven has a number of different addresses—performing poetry for kids at schools and libraries; golfing on my favorite golf course; biking on my road bike along the Erie Canal; eating my bluffin at Hess Express; sitting in my den near the gas stove; writing in my den while time flies; being part of a lively writing workshop or book festival; reclining on my recliner; watching a fascinating TV drama; digging into a slippery bucket of salty popcorn at Tinseltown, and watching events unfold on the big screen.

Where was Charles Dickens’ haven? (I thought you would never ask.) It was in Cowsville. I kid you not. He admitted that “Cows are my passion. What I have ever sighed for has been to retreat to a Swiss farm, and live entirely surrounded by cows and china.”

So where is your haven beyond daily chores and worries? Please tell my readers in the comment space. I sure would like to know. I'll leave you with a photo of our first beach house that we stayed at...

Kids on An Instant Vacation with Silly Sottile

The above photo was taken on the cafeteria floor at Florence Brasser Elementary School in Chili, New York. The kids are enjoying an instant vacation with "Silly Sottile." What's an instant vacation?

Milton Berle said that “Laugher is an instant vacation.” I think he’s right. And according to www.SimpleTruths.com, we need to laugh at least 12 times a day to remain healthy. Here are a few laughs from one of their clever books, Laughter Is An Instant Vacation…

“Insanity doesn’t run In my family. It gallops.” –Cary Grant

As a parent, my wife and I have one thing in common. We’re both afraid of our children.”—Bill Cosy

“I am not going to vacuum until Sears has one that I can ride.”—Roseanne Barr

“Guests, like fish begin to smell after three days.”—Ben Franklin

“All mothers have intuition. The great ones have radar.”—Kathy Guisewite

Write a Caption for Silly Sottile?!?

On Tuesday of this week I had the honor of recording three of my poems at the WXXI Radio Station. Poems and stories by various authors in the Rochester Area Children's Writers and Illustrators group (RACWI) are being used to promote the November 7th's book festival at MCC. It was fun and exciting to record poetry in front of a big microphone, eight stories up in downtown Rochester. The view behind me was amazing--highways, bridges, skyscrappers, and distant walkways.

So how did my little photo shoot turn out. Well, you can be the judge of the above one. Give it a caption in the comment section. It's okay to be funny, silly, serious, sarcastic, or whatever. I have one that I thought was a riot, but I don't want to influence you. Go ahead, take a shot at it! Thanks ahead of time!