Indeed I did.
Not that this particular book isn't available in SmallCity. It is, in abundance. But...
The book is entitled The Very Fairy Princess Takes the Stage, by Julie Andrews and her daughter (my online writing coach) Emma Walton Hamilton, and I went to Minneapolis to buy it because Julie was doing a book-signing at the Roseville Barnes and Noble (Roseville is a suburb of Minneapolis).
One of my online friends (now a real-life friend!) shared the experience with me. We had a wonderful time together, were both thrilled to meet Julie, and are both delighted with the book.
We were also delighted by the way Julie used the balance of her time, other than the two book signings that were her original reason for traveling to the Twin Cities. On the Thursday of her visit, she spent time at the Perpich Center's High School -- a residential school for the performing arts, speaking to the student body and answering their questions, advocating for the importance of the arts in society in general and in education in particular. To experience what she said to the students, check out this link to Minnesota Public Radio.
On Friday, she had a chance to highlight one of her other passions, literacy and the importance of access to books for children. The Target company is heavily involved in this cause, and among many other things, is active in renovating school libraries across the United States. Julie had the opportunity of opening one of these newly renovated libraries, at the Nellie Stone Johnson Community School. She mentioned this to my friend and I when we were talking to her as she signed our copies of the book on Friday evening. It obviously means a great deal to her to do these things. To hear an interview in which she tells about the library project, click on this link. To learn more about Target's work in the area of literacy, click here.
I am very gratified to see this concrete proof of something I already knew, that an author whom I admire greatly for who she is as a person, as well as who she is in the public eye, shares my passions for child literacy, and for arts education.
So yes, I went to Minneapolis to buy a picture book, and came back with so much more, not in possessions, but in inspiration.
as the one who was with you at this signing, i can attest to how much this experience meant to you. hearing all about julie's 'extras' while in town seems to have made your day!
ReplyDeleteyou kept sending me the links to her interviews and appearances so i knew you were impressed with julie's extra activities while in town.
Thanks, Jan! I was indeed impressed with her extra activities. And I had a great time with you!!! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful you went! I know what Ms Andrews means to you and I'm so thrilled you took the time (and money) to see her in person! Wonderful. I would probably never do that: so I admire you greatly for having done it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alana! It was an opportunity that I just couldn't pass up, with the bonus of meeting my friend Jan in person.
ReplyDeleteWonderful you met your inspirer in real life. I can understand you are glad you went.
ReplyDeleteThanks, onshore! Yes, it was the culmination of a lifetime's hopes and dreams.
ReplyDeleteLucky you! She was on the Late Late show last night and I love her! The book looks adorable too, I'm so glad you got to go!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anne! She always seems to have such a good time on the Craig Ferguson show. She can really relax and be Julie.
ReplyDeleteThe book is a delight, as is the first one in the series.