WHERE ARE MY BOOKS? Book Launch at Another Story Bookshop

Playing my tin whistle at my book launch. Photo: Kevin Sylvester.

Oh my gosh, I had SO MUCH FUN LAST NIGHT at my WHERE ARE MY BOOKS? book launch! Thank you again to everyone who came out last night. I know how busy people can get and how many other commitments and events are out there, plus it meant taking the transit or driving during rush hour for most of you. Please know that I deeply appreciate you taking the time and effort to help me celebrate in person as well as support Another Story Bookshop.

Before the event, my sister Ruth took me out for dinner to celebrate the launch of my first solo picture book (thanks, Ruth!) and then we headed to Another Story Bookshop. In case you missed it, here's my profile and mini-interview with this wonderful Toronto indie bookstore.

With Sheila Koffman, bookshop owner. Photo: Ruth Ohi.

When we arrived, Shannon Vaughn from Simon & Schuster Canada was there with supplies. She and Ruth assembled fruit skewers while Jeff set up the book-themed cake and cupcakes.

Jeff, Shannon (Simon & Schuster Canada) and Ruth during setup

Thank you so much to Michelle Colombo for the adorable mini-cupcakes and to Danijela Pulcini of L'il Chick Cupcakes for the creative book-themed cake:

In case you were wondering, Jeff and I didn't give Danijela any specific instructions except a copy of the book. We both love what she came up with! And here are the cute little cupcakes by Michelle Colombo:

There were copies of WHERE ARE MY BOOKS? and NAKED! for sale. Originally the store had also planned to have I'M BORED available but after sending half the books to a book fair, Sheila said that all the copies had been bought and they sent the rest of their stock to the fair. Apparently I'M BORED has been selling very well for them, yay!

 Meanwhile, some of my friends were starting to arrive. Like actor and writer, 'Manda Whitney:

Photo: Ruth Ohi.

and children's book author Sharon Jennings:

Photo: Ruth Ohi.

and I finally got to meet Robin Marwick in person! We've been online friends for years, from Livejournal days:

I did a reading of WHERE ARE MY BOOKS?, explained how I got the idea as well as My Thing With Squirrels, talked briefly about my process, played my tin whistle, enlisted the help of some young attendees to demonstrate how to create a character using found objects (in this case, ripped up pages from a magazine).

Photo: Another Story Bookshop.

Afterward, I signed books and chatted with those who came out to the event (THANK YOU THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING!!!).

And huge thanks again to Another Story Bookshop and Simon & Schuster Canada for making this event possible.