NEW YORK—April 18, 2023—Matthew Gray Gubler, the multitalented Criminal Minds actor, director and #1 New York Times bestselling author-illustrator of Rumple Buttercup: A Story of Bananas, Belonging and Being Yourself, will give the closing keynote presentation at the U.S. Book Show children’s book program on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. The in-person event, which highlights Fall 2023 books and takes place at NYU’s Kimmel Center, will also be livestreaming.
The Little Kid with the Big Green Hand (Amulet Books, Sept. 26) is Gubler’s second book and the first to come from his own publishing imprint, Pumpkin Patch Press. “I want to make books that hug readers’ hearts and eyeballs,” said Gubler when asked about his new publishing venture. “As someone who adores every detail of the process, it just made sense. I would be personally hand-binding each copy of my books in my basement if I thought I could pull it off, but I probably wouldn’t get enough made for my hometown before accidentally cutting off a thumb, and I need my thumb to write more books. Luckily, I’ve joined forces with Abrams to help with that part. To me, they don’t make books; they make paintings you can read. We both share a deep love and appreciation for meticulous details and we both want to spoil readers with the most beautifully crafted books imaginable—the kind of things you want to pass on to future generations, or at least use as a colorful coaster.”
As he did with Rumple Buttercup, Gubler lovingly hand wrote and illustrated every element of his new 224-page book in his signature style, right down to the barcode. To the delight of fans around the world, the Criminal Minds star announced his new book in an Instagram post, revealing the books cover along with a description of his new work.
The Little Kid with the Big Green Hand follows two unlikely friends, Chuck and Lenore, as they embark on a dreamlike adventure and uncover the magic of seeing the world through each other’s eyes.
Over the course of his career, Gubler has directed, produced and appeared in dozens of films and TV series in addition to his iconic role as Dr. Spencer Reid in the CBS drama Criminal Minds (2005–2020). Gubler began his career as an intern for Wes Anderson, who cast Gubler in his first acting role as a fictionalized intern in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004). He would later go on to voice Simon in the Alvin and the Chipmunks movies and the Riddler in Batman: Assault on Arkham. He received a Daytime Emmy in 2012.
The children’s books program at the U.S. Book Show begins with an opening keynote by the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Meg Medina, interviewed by New York Times for Kids editor Amber Williams. Jacqueline Woodson gives the lunchtime keynote; Woodson is a National Book Award winner, 2023 Guggenheim Fellow and winner, in 2020, of a MacArthur “Genius” grant.
The morning “Children’s Big Books Panel” features Candice Iloh (Salt the Water), Melissa de la Cruz (The (Super Secret) Society of Octagon Valley), Karen McManus (One of Us Is Back) and Peter H. Reynolds (All We Need Is Love and a Really Soft Pillow!).
Afternoon “In Conversation” talks include Wade Hudson and illustrator E.B. Lewis, who will discuss Invincible: Fathers and Mothers of Black America; the father-daughter duo Kenny Curtis and Jillian Hughes on their official podcast tie-in Greeking Out: Epic Retellings of Classic Greek Myths; and Ryan La Sala discussing Beholder.
Registration is open for the U.S. Book Show; early-bird rates are now in effect. Members of the media may apply for complimentary in-person and/or virtual press passes on the press page.
High-res headshots of Matthew Gray Gubler and book cover: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/d1k0eon37exm44qcuynzb/h?dl=0&rlkey=1yjtrgzb9qztvskdno1elys90
Or under the Images and Logos tab at https://usbookshow.com/press/
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 150 years ago 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 thriving website that reaches 14 million unique visitors annually. In conjunction with the Sharjah Book Fair, the magazine is also published in an Arabic edition.
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