The author's daughter, Linda Gramatky Smith, has spoken to schools and libraries across the country in the past few years. To book her for an Author's Visit, please email her at LittleTootBooks@aol.com. Watch this space for upcoming events!
2009
Upcoming
June 12 - Lewiston, ME
Giving a talk on Hardie Gramatky's life and creativity at 2 pm at Bates College for this year's Reunion. Pettengill Hall (room to be decided). Books for autographing will be provided by the Bates College Bookstore at a weekend discount of 20%.
June 29 - Ossining, NY
Will kick off the Ossining Public Library's summer program (based on Little Toot this year) with a story hour for 4-8 year olds at 2 pm. The Village Bookstore, 10 Washington Avenue, Pleasantville, NY 10570 is handling book sales for the library. Owners are Roy Solomon and Yvonne van Cort, and their phone number is (914) 769-8322, and the Library will receive a percentage from the sales. Library address (overlooking Hudson where they can see tugboats in the winter) is 53 Croton Avenue, Ossining, NY (914) 941-2416.
August 12 - Darien, CT
2 pm: Speaking to parents and children (4 years and up) at the Darien Library in the Auditorium of their beautiful new library at 1441 Post Road, Darien, CT. (203) 655-1234.
Recent
June 11 - Lewiston, ME
Two talks on Hardie Gramatky and Little Toot to the second and third graders at Longley School.
May 6 - Ridgefield, CT
Autographed books at the evening Book Fair at Farmingville School.
May 5 - Ridgefield, CT
Gave three talks to first and second graders at Farmingville School.
April 21 - Danbury, CT
Spoke to 150 first and second graders at South Street School. Autographed 40 books. Contact was Mrs. Margie Jones, Media Specialist.
April 21 - Danbury, CT
Gave two talks to 200 first and second graders at Park Avenue School and autographed 39 books. Contact was Media Specialist Brenda Closter.
March 17 - Online
Half hour interview by Suzanne Lieurance for her online Book Bites for Kids show. She heads
the National Writing for Children Center.
Listen to the interview, or read their review of Little Toot, a "timeless classic with substance."
January 16 - Glen Rock, NJ
Gave talks to all the kindergarten, first and second grades at the Richard E. Byrd School. Linda had autographed preordered books in time for holiday gifts in December, but she broke her ankle so the talk was rescheduled. Contact person was Media Specialist Barbara Mallach and parent Kara Thornwall Stansel.
2008
December 8 - Melrose, MA
Spoke to all the kindergarten, first and second grades at Lincoln Elementary School and autographed books at their school Book Fair. Contact was parent volunteer Mrs. Stephanie Catalini.
December 6 - New London, CT
Read Little Toot and Happy's Christmas to the Girl Scouts at the Museum and helped them make Little Toot holiday ornaments.
November 20 - New London, CT
Spoke at New London Maritime Society Museum about Hardie Gramatky and his paintings. The talk was concurrent with an exhibit running from November 15 - May, 18, 2009 at the Museum. It included 30 watercolors of tugboats and beach scenes and illustrations from the Little Toot books. Curator was Susan Tamulevich, director of the museum.
October 16 - New York City
Opening of the Original Art 2008 exhibit at the Society of Illustrators, curated by Dilys Evans and Jane Breskin Zalben (with a wonderful jury of Chris Conover, Jane Curley, Anne Hoppe, William Low, David Shannon, Taeen Yoo and Ed Young). Two of Hardie Gramatky's illustrations from his Little Toot manuscript that were added to the restored classic edition of the book were selected from 660 entries for the 120 best children's book illustrations of the year! And then they were selected to be in the traveling exhibit of 40 pieces that will tour schools around the United States from January - December, 2009.
October 5 - New York City
Little Toot was chosen as one of the 20 Favorite New York City Children's Books by the NYC public librarians, and Kirsten Shaughnessy, anchorwoman on channel VH1, read the book to a large audience of enthusiastic children.
September 11 - Madison, CT
Spoke at R. J. Julia's bookshop, one of the best independent bookstores in the country, to an audience of adults and children about her father and how he was inspired to write Little Toot and autographed books.
August 23 - Hartford, CT
Taped at the "Antiques Road Show" listening to an appraisal of a rare first edition of Little Toot. If the clip doesn't end up on the cutting room floor, she will be seen in early 2009 on PBS stations!
July 26 - New London, CT
Appearing at the Fishtales, Tugs and Sails festival at New London Waterfront Park. 10:30 a.m. Open to the public. Contact: Cris Staubach at (860) 447-1411, ext. 17.
More info: Watch a WTNH-TV segment on Little Toot and the Fishtales festival, or read more about the festival.
July 10 - Kenilworth, NJ
At the Kenilworth Library, speaking and signing books, for Family Night (open to the public) at 7 pm.
June 29 - Staten Island, NY
Talk at Noble Maritime Collection in conjunction with a tugboat exhibit. 2-4pm. Open to the public. Call the museum (718) 447-6490 for details. Autographing of books will follow.
June 3 - Goshen, CT
Speaking at the Goshen Public Library to speak to all the first and second graders from Goshen Central School. Contacts: Lynn Steinmeyer, Library Director, and Pam Buckley, Children's Librarian.
May 30 - West Hartford, CT
TV interview on "Children's Books: Their Creators and Collectors" TV program, channel WHC-TV, producer Billie M. Levy. Broadcast at various times in June. For information on this public access cable program, contact West Hartford Community Television 860 561-1260.
May 6 - Ridgefield, CT
Book Fair at Farmingville School. Speaking to six first and second grade classes and autographing books.
May 2 - Norwalk, CT
Speaking to Mrs. Dianne Guhl's 5th grade class about journaling and how Hardie Gramatky wrote his children's books.
April 26 - Amherst, MA
Read the restored Little Toot and told stories to 50 people at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in conjunction with the exhibit "Toot and Re-Toot: the Return of Hardie Gramatky's Little Toot"
April 5 - Westport, CT
Did a presentation for an artist tour of Hardie Gramatky's studio by the ABC (American Book Collectors of Children's Literature, CT chapter).
April 5 - Westport, CT
Autographed books at the Book Fair at Green's Farms School.
April 1 - Westport, CT
Spoke to all the 1st and 2nd grade classes at Green's Farms School.
February 26 - Clinton, CT
Spoke to eight second-grade classes, and read Little Toot, showed Gramatky's journal, a DVD of him drawing Little Toot, original illustrations and a brass-and-copper tugboat. (contact: Mrs. Kathy Abbatello)
2007
September 6 - Danville, CA
Speaking to 80 first graders at John F. Baldwin Elementary School (arranged by Mike Barnard, Rakestraw Books)
September 7 - Clayton, CA
Signing books at Clayton Books (Joel Harris, owner) and speaking to 30 children and parents.
September 26 - New York, NY
Hosting with G. P. Putnam's a three-hour tugboat party on the Miriam Moran in New York Harbor, thanks to Peter Keyes, Vice President of Operations, and Ted Tregurtha, President of Moran Towing.
September 28 - East Lyme, CT
Reading the Restored Classic Edition of Little Toot to preschoolers at the East Lyme Library (Randolph Haines, librarian)
October 3 - Falmouth, MA
Signing books and speaking to 30 kindergartners to 2nd graders at Booksmith from 4-5:30 (Leslie Baker, owner)
October 5 - Old Lyme, CT
10:30-11:15 -- Speaking at a Lunch Bunch story-time for preschoolers at the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, co-sponsored by the Lymes' Youth Service Bureau (Ronna Keith, librarian)
October 16 - Winchester, MA
Speaking to the first graders from St. Mary's School (courtesy of Bookends, arranged by Pat Byrnes)
November 15 - Westport, CT
Spoke to three first grades at Saugatuck Elementary and autographed books at their Book Fair.
Autographed books at the Kings Highway Elementary School book fair.
November 16 - Westport, CT
Spoke to Ms. Diane Bader's first grade class about Little Toot and Hardie Gramatky.
December 21 - Amherst, MA
Opening of "Toot and Re-Toot: the Return of Hardie Gramatky's Little Toot" five-month exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.