BIRDS, BRAVERY AND BEING YOURSELF: Oddbird and Bird Boy in Conversation (all ages)

*Copies with signed bookplates can be purchased from our friends at Greenlight Bookstore. All purchasers will be entered into a giveaway for a signed original piece of art from the making of Bird Boy.

Join us for a conversation between Matthew Burgess, author of Bird Boy, about being true to yourself and finding your people, and Derek Desierto, author-illustrator of Oddbird, about living your joy and inspiring others to do the same. Listen in as these two widely celebrated book makers share with each other their influences, processes and hopes for their work. We’ll touch on birds, bravery and being yourself. It will be a delightful and inspiring evening for all. Stories will be shared! Birds may be drawn! And, any and all questions you have will be answered!

Literary agent, Erica Rand Silverman, will be moderating.

Matthew Burgess is a highly acclaimed author, poet and Assistant Professor at Brooklyn College. His picture books have been selected as Best Books of the Year by The Washington Post, Boston Globe, Kirkus, and Brain Pickings, among others. His two most recent picture books are BIRD BOY (Knopf) and MAKE MEATBALLS SING: The Life and Art of Sister Corita Kent (Enchanted Lion Books). BIRD BOY was selected by Publishers Weekly as a best book for back-to-school. A poet-in-residence in New York City public schools since 2001, Matthew also serves as a contributing editor of Teachers & Writers Magazine.

“Every now and then a book comes along that catches you unawares with its tenderness and grace. This is one such book.” –Booklist magazine, Bird Boystarred review ★

Purchase a signed bookplate copy of Bird Boy HERE

Derek Desierto is a highly sought after illustrator, designer, and animator. He is the illustrator on the sensational Juno Valentine series written by Eva Chen which are NY Times Bestsellers, Publisher’s Weekly Bestsellers and featured in Oprah Magazine, among other publications. Derek recently published his authorial debut, ODDBIRD, and coming up next, COLORS OF AWESOME! 24 BOLD WOMEN WHO INSPIRED THE WORLD, will publish this winter. ODDBIRD is a Barnes & Noble national story time pick!

“The messaging of self-acceptance and embracing who you are on the inside is welcome…a strong contribution to picture books celebrating diversity and inclusion.” ―Booklist magazine, Oddbird review

Purchase a signed bookplate copy of Oddbird HERE