Episode #287: Community!

Alvina is back from Kindling Words and so she and Grace talk about the importance of community (Alvina's word of the year!) and how to build community. They talk about which communities they are currently a part of, and which communities they want to build--including the Book Friends Forever community! For the Fortune Cookie segment they talk about two bits of publishing news: the naming of Mac Barnett as the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, and AI books in the library. And then, in honor of Black History Month, Alvina tells Grace about the book DAVE THE POTTER by Laban Carrick Hill and Bryan Collier.

How have you been?

Alvina got back from Kindling Words and had a lovely time. Many of our podcast listeners were there! 1/3 of the attendees were “newbies”. “What kind of legacy do we want to leave?” was one of the bog topics discussed. Alvina also met some old friends of Stephen’s and went out for Indian food.

Grace is recovering from her Lunar New Year scare where Alex ate some nuts that he was allergic to. They went to the ER where they gave him another EPIPEN. He turned out ok! Discussion: Why don’t Asian countries do not take allergies to nuts very seriously! Grace is in the planning stage for her upcoming exhibit at the Carle Museum!

Community

The Book Friends discuss why being a part of a community is so helpful and important. Being part of a community is more important than ever under this new administration. We don’t see each other as part of the same community. Is there a community feeling to this podcast? Listeners please let the book friends know!

Gratefuls

Grace is grateful for Epipens and small things that can make big imapcts. Grace is grateful for Little Brown and making her book (The Gate, The Girl, and The Dragon) look so beautiful. Stephen is reading it right now and loves it! Alvina is grateful for getting colonoscopy’s and screening for cancer.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to Hachette Audio, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and Alex at Pacyworks Studio for producing and editing this podcast. Be sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and tell a friend about us. (Use the hashtag #bookfriendsforever.)

You can find Alvina @Planetalvina on Twitter and TikTok and @Alvinaling on Instagram and Threads, @alvinaling on BlueSky

You can find Grace @Pacylin on Instagram and Threads, @authorgracelin on Facebook, @gracelinauthor on TikTok.

Please keep tagging and messaging us on social media using the hashtag #bookfriendsforever! OR message us on Instagram @bookfriendsforever_podcast or email us at bookfriendsforever@gmail.com! Please let us know if you have any topic ideas!

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