FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For author information contact: Karen Walsh, head of publicity at Houghton Miflin, 617 351 3647, email: karen.walsh@hmhpub.com (for review copies, photos, interviews)

For More Details Contact: Colleen Kammer, Book Beat 248-968-1190

Fans of great children’s literature will be pleased to know that two-time Newbery Award Winner Lois Lowry (author of the Newbery Award Medal for “The Giver” 1994, and “Number the Stars” 199o), will be returning to the Metro Detroit area on Friday, April 1st from 7:00- 8:30 pm at Berkley High School Auditorium (2325 Catalpa (11 1/2 mile rd., east of Coolidge Rd.) Berkley, MI 48072). This event is co-sponsored by the Book Beat and the Berkley School District.

Lois Lowry is well-loved by children and young adult literature readers alike for creating compelling characters and powerful stories. Lois is appearing in support of her two most recent releases: Like the Willow Tree (part of the Dear America series) and Bless This Mouse. These two titles along with her many in-print classics will be available to purchase at the event. For more information, or to purchase or reserve books prior to the event, please call Book Beat at (248) 968-1190.

Download a Book Beat PDF orderform here: with ALL AVAILABLE TITLES for Lois Lowry

“Rife with humor and personality, this young middle-grade novel has an old-fashioned feel with the makings of a modern classic.” Good Reads review of Bless This Mouse

Bless This Mouse tells the story of a resilient and quirky colony of church mice who must survive numerous threats in order to survive within the church walls. Will their extraordinary mouse leader Hildegarde be able to keep this scampering, squeaking tribe intact?

“A simple tale that is mature and subtle and will appeal to readers who prefer characters over plot or who like to feel as if they’re learning alongside the protagonist. This isn’t just any Dear America volume — it’s the best one I’ve read in a long time. ” KidsReads.com Review of Like the Willow Tree

Like The Willow Tree is the story of 11 year-old Lydia who is taken in by a Shaker community after she and her brother are orphaned by the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918.

Read an author profile and interview with Lois Lowry on TEENREADS.COM

“..only by cherishing life is it possible to learn to accept death. A sincere and graceful appeal to the idealist in all of us.” – The New York Times reviewing  “A Summer to Die”

“… The Giver, a powerful and provocative novel, is sure to keep older children reading. and thinking.” From: Ray, Karen. Review of The Giver, by Lois Lowry. New York Times Book Review.

“Lowry is once again in top form – raising many questions while answering few, and unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers.” From: Review of The Giver, by Lois Lowry. Publishers Weekly.

Please know that this free event sponsored by Book Beat is possible only from the support of customers who purchase copies of her books at the event or in advance at Book Beat. We believe that visits from world-renowned authors enrich our community. We thank you for your continued support in making these opportunities possible.

If you cannot attend this event, please call the Book Beat (248) 968-1190 (26010 Greenfield Rd., Oak Park, MI.) if you would like to reserve copies or if you have any further questions regarding this event.

Newbery Author Lois Lowry Coming to Berkley High Auditorium, Fri. April 1st!

Two-time Newbery Award Winner Lois Lowry (for “The Giver” 1994 and “Number the Stars” 1990),  will be returning to the Metro Detroit area on Friday, April 1st from 7:00- 8:30 pm at Berkley High School Auditorium (2325 Catalpa @ 11 1/2 mile rd., east of Coolidge Rd. Berkley, MI 48072). This event is co-sponsored by the Book Beat and the Berkley School District.

For more information about this event, click the link to the event, here..

Chris Van Allsburg to Visit Book Beat, Wed. April 6th!

Two-time Caldecott Award winning author/illustrator and Michigan native Chris Van Allsburg will be visiting the Book Beat (26010 Greenfield Rd., Oak Park, MI 48237) on Wednesday, April 6 from 3-6 p.m.  This is a rare chance to meet one of the truly great children’s book illustrators and a master storyteller.  Van Allsburg won the Caldecott Medal for the Polar Express and Jumanji and a Caldecott Honor Award for his first book The Garden of Abdul Gasazi and received the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children’s literature.

For more information about this event, please click the link to the event, here..

Publishing Children’s Books: A Panel Discussion, Thurs. April 7th!

Join us at the Traverwood Branch (3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor) of the Ann Arbor Public Library on Thursday April 7 at 7 pm for a unique discussion about the world of children’s book publishing.   Panelists include: 2011 Caldecott winners Erin and Philip Stead;  Shutta Crum, author of the recent Thomas and the Dragon Queen, publishers: Heather Hughes and Marian Nelson, and Book Beat co-owner Colleen Kammer.

For more information about this event, please click the link to the event, here..

Two Events with Mystery Author Michael Connelly, Thurs. April 14th!

Bestselling author Michael Connelly (The Lincoln Lawyer, Black Echo, etc..) will be appearing at the Community House in Birmingham ( 380 South Bates Street, Birmingham, MI 48009 #248-644-5832) on Thurs. April 14 at 2 p.m.  The other event will be at the Jewish Community Center (JCC Berman Theatre 6600 W. Maple Rd, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, corner of Maple and Drake #248-661-1000)  at 7:30 pm on the same day.

For more information about this event, please click the link to the event, here..

For Immediate Release

International Award Winning Artist & Author Chris Van Allsburg at Book Beat

For more informatiion contact:

Karen Walsh, head of publicity at Houghton Miflin, 617 351 3647,

email: karen.walsh@hmhpub.com  (for review copies, photos, interviews)

Colleen Kammer, Book Beat 248-968-1190

Two-time Caldecott Award winning author/illustrator and Michigan native Chris Van Allsburg will be visiting the Book Beat on Wednesday, April 6 from 3-6 p.m. This is a rare chance to meet one of the truly great children’s book illustrators and a master storyteller.  The Book Beat is located at 26010 Greenfield in Oak Park, Michigan.

Van Allsburg won the Caldecott Medal for the Polar Express and Jumanji and a Caldecott Honor Award for his first book The Garden of Abdul Gasazi and received the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children’s literature. He grew up in Grand Rapids, MI and currently lives in Rhode Island. Several of his books were also made into major motion pictures.

Van Allsburg’s latest creation, Queen of the Falls, tells the thrilling true story of Ms. Annie Edson Taylor, the first person to go over the Niagara Falls. Taylor was a 62-year-old retired charm school instructor living in Bay City. MI when she undertook the scheme for profit and fame, though both managed to elude her. This is Van Allsburg’s first work of non-fiction, but the strange tale fits his magical yet realistic style and comes marvelously to life.

This is truly a special opportunity to meet Van Allsburg in a small, personal setting, and a great chance to get signed copies of his wonderful books. His books will be available for sale, including Queen of the Falls, a great new addition to his work. 3-6 p.m, Wednesday, April 6,  2011 at the Book Beat, 26010 Greenfield Rd, Oak Park, MI 48237. For more information call 248-968-1190.

Sunday, December 12th at 2 PM Bill Rauhauser will present and sign copies of his new book; Bill Rauhauser – 20th Century Photography at The Book Beat , 26010 Greenfield Rd. Oak Park, MI, for more information please call: 248-968-1190. Joining Bill will be Mary Desjarlais, author of the books introductory essay.  The book is a large hardcover, 310 pages and over 300 photographs full of vintage Detroit street photography and fine art from a local master photographer. A small selection of Bill’s photographic work will be on display in the backroom gallery at the Book Beat.

Read the Metro Times cover feature “His Aim is True” on Bill’s work here: http://metrotimes.com/arts/his-aim-is-true-1.1074209?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4d02edb5d550b89e%2C0

Bill Rauhauser – 20th Century Photography is the most complete survey on the 92-year-old photographer to date and covers decades from the 1930s until the present. Bill Rauhauser has spent a lifetime quietly chronicling the heart and soul of Detroit. From his poetic recording of his family life and the urban landscape to his surprising tabletop conceptual artworks, Rauhauser’s image making has always been stamped with its clarity, gentle beauty and refined composition. For fans of photography, history and Detroit, this book makes the perfect gift.

View Book Beat’s Holiday Gift Guide on Facebook here