NEW YORK—May 6, 2021—Brian Selznick, the bestselling children’s book author and Caldecott Medal-winning creator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which was adapted into the Oscar®-winning film Hugo, and Padma Lakshmi, the host and executive producer of Bravo’s Emmy® Award-winning Top Chef and creator and star of Hulu’s Taste the Nation, will speak at the virtual U.S. Book Show’s “Children’s Books Day,” May 27, 2021. They join Senator Elizabeth Warren, a first-time children’s author, who will deliver the opening keynote of the day.
An award-winning cookbook author, Padma Lakshmi can now add children’s book author to her extensive list of accomplishments as an author, TV personality, model and film actress. Tomatoes for Neela (Viking Books for Young Readers, August 31, 2021), a picture book for children illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Juana Martinez-Neal, is the subject of Lakshmi’s midday talk at the virtual U.S. Book Show. Lakshmi’s previous books include three cookbooks and a memoir, Love, Loss, and What We Ate (Ecco, 2018). Lakshmi lives in New York City.
Brian Selznick’s live talk will be followed by a live Q&A about his forthcoming novel Kaleidoscope (Scholastic Press, September 21, 2021), mid-afternoon of the Children’s Books Day at the virtual U.S. Book Show. His author and illustrator credits number 29 books, including the historical novel Wonderstruck (2011), The Marvels (2015), and a book for younger readers, Baby Monkey, Private Eye (2018), written with David Serlin. Selznick, who splits his time between La Jolla and Brooklyn, is beloved by his fans of all ages.
Lakshmi and Selznick join Senator Elizabeth Warren in punctuating the day with exciting top talent sure to please the audience of publishing professionals, librarians and booksellers.
Senator Warren opens the day with a keynote conversation with her editor, Laura Godwin, publisher of Godwin Books, to discuss the senator’s first children’s book. Pinkie Promises (Henry Holt, October 12, 2021) is an engaging picture book tale of loyalty, female empowerment and political engagement, written by Senator Warren and illustrated by Charlene Chua. Senator Warren will speak on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. EDT.
A videotaped short piece will be also played at the opening of Children’s Books Day to promote and build awareness of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s support of literacy and education.
Publishers Weekly will donate a portion of the proceeds of the U.S. Book Show to Boys & Girls Clubs of America in support of its literacy programming. Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s literacy and academic support programs include Summer Brain Gain, which runs for one month this summer as a virtual program featuring authors of a picture book, a middle grade title and a YA book. Club leaders and members are invited to attend the show for free and access unlimited content on-demand throughout the summer.
The inaugural U.S. Book Show is a three-day virtual conference conceived and crafted by Publishers Weekly to build buzz about Fall 2021 books and to serve the bookselling, library, media and book publishing industry. The event is live-streaming and available on-demand through August 31, 2021.
The show runs May 25 – 27, 2021, and features a wide array of editor, book and author panels; livestreaming Q&A sessions with editors; topical library panels; programming geared to publishing professionals; networking opportunities and awards celebrations; and robust exhibit halls featuring 200+ publishers.
To view the show schedule and registration information, go to https://www.usbookshow.com (#USBookShow).
Press passes and more information for the media is available at https://usbookshow.com/press/
Downloadable e-galleys for media will be available at the Publishers Weekly Press Booth.
High-res artwork: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/m66kh8lgwdmwqph/AAC2cY_Pd4HokNl1kBSAgcrTa?dl=0
For more information, contact Christi Cassidy, +1-917-217-4269, ccassidy@publishersweekly.com.
About Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly is the international news platform of the book publishing industry. Founded in 1872 and published weekly since then, the magazine boasts 1.23 million social media followers; publishes 10 e-newsletters, BookLife (a website and semimonthly supplement), Publishers Weekly en Español (in partnership with Lantia), two blogs, podcasts, a mobile edition, digital editions, and apps; and features a website that reaches 14 million unique visitors annually.
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