A wonderful new blog by children’s book author, Patricia Reilly Giff, is just up and running.  Whether you’re a fan of her books, a parent of young children, an aspiring writer, a teacher, in the children’s book publishing industry, or just someone who likes good storytelling - you’ll love these posts.  They’re hysterical and inspiring. 

Pat also teaches children’s book writing workshops at her family’s bookstore, Dinosaur’s Paw, in Fairfield Conn. 

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Today! Thousands of $1 books!

20090926D_0171e (by jcn)

HOUSING WORKS OPEN AIR STREET FAIR Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with books, movies, clothing, housewares and other items as well as food and entertainment; a special feature is an “all-you-can-stuff” bag of clothing and accessories for $20. Proceeds will benefit service programs of Housing Works. Crosby Street, between Houston and Prince Streets, SoHo , (212) 334-3324, housingworksbookstore.org. (via Spare Times - Schedule - NYTimes.com)

I know you know, but it always sounds better coming from the New York Times.

The Spotted Pig Books and Ale  in Hudson, NY

The Spotted Pig is a small bookstore, lounge cafe and bar in Columbia County right across the river from Catskill.  If you’re going to be up north in that area and you like independent bookstores, and local beer, make sure to set aside some time to stop here.  We had a beer, perused the shelves and hounded the locals for advice on where to find a swimming hole in the area.  That’s where we learned about Fawn’s Leap. 

It’s also right across the street from Tortillaville, a great taco stand.

Cool bookstores make me happy.

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TOWN PROFILE: Saugerties, NY

The new Woodstock?  Just an hour and a half from NYC (if you take 87, but quite a bit longer if you take more local roads like the Palisades to Route 9), Saugerties is a great stop over town on your way upstate or back toward home.  Restaurants worth trying such as organic and local food inspired Miss Lucy’s Kitchen or Love Bites, and great little shops - a chocolate store, antique shops, gift shops, new age and vintage clothing. And a bookstore that stole my breath away which I believe was on Partition Street and which I wish I knew the name of.  The outskirts are full of artist studios and overall, the effort at beautification and support of the arts has made this town ‘cool’ as the newly resigned mayor writes in his farewell note. I just had to share it.  Seems like a pretty great guy.  Is a pretty great town.

There is plenty happening here.  Make sure to do some research before heading up for exhibitions and local happenings.  Farmers Market is always a good place to start to meet the locals.

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SHOP PROFILE: Books of Wonder on 18 West 18th Street

One of my favorite book stores in the city.  Grab a snack at the delicious City Bakery on 18th Street as well.  And, if you’re crafty, you may want to stop in Paper Presentation.  So much fun all on one block!

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