Award Winning and New York Times Best Selling Authors
Kirby Larson, Mary Nethery
and Illustrator Jean Cassels Visit
Octavia Books
and Present at the International Reading
Association Conference
Families are Invited to Attend Free Book Signing and Reception
New Orleans, LA —November 23, 2009—New Orleans residents will get a special treat this month when award winning authors, Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery and Illustrator Jean Cassels visit. The trio will be presenting at the International Reading Association (IRA) 24 th Annual Southeast Regional Conference Monday, November 30, 2009, from 12:00 – 1:30pm. They will be discussing “Hope in a Hurricane – The Story Behind Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival”. Following the presentation, there will be a signing and reception in honor of their book at 4:00pm at Octavia Books, located at 513 Octavia Street in New Orleans.
“I am thrilled that Two Bobbies has touched so many readers. We are so excited to be presenting together in Jean’s hometown,” said Nethery. This will be the group’s first joint appearance on behalf of the book. Families are encouraged to attend the reception at Octavia Books on November 30, 2009.
ABOUT – Two Bobbies
Four years ago, best friends, Larson and Nethery decided to try collaborating on a book. They were pretty sure the story would involve animals but that was all they knew. Then Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf coast and New Orleans flooded when the levees failed. Nethery watched CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 and learned about Bobbi and Bob Cat. “When I saw that interview,” said Nethery, “I knew the Bobbies’ story of friendship and survival was a story of hope for all of us.” She called Larson right away. “It was easy to say yes,” said Larson. After going to Louisiana and Mississippi to help with the clean-up and rebuilding efforts, “I wanted to use my writing skills to bring attention to the overwhelming needs of the Gulf coast region,” she said. Both Nethery and Larson agree that the story of Bobbi and Bob Cat, animal best friends was the perfect one for them, human best friends, to tell. The authors are donating ten percent of their proceeds to Best Friends Animal Society. Awards: 2008 ASPCA, Henry Bergh Award, Southern Independent, Booksellers Award, 2009 IRA/CBC Children's Choice Award, A Junior Library Guild Selection, An Indie Next List Top Ten Pick. www.twobobbies.com
About the Authors
Kirby Larson’s portfolio includes the 2007 Newbery Honor Award book, Hattie Big Sky (Delacorte); and ASPCA Henry Bergh and Southern Independent Booksellers Award winner, Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival, (Walker), co-written with her good friend, Mary Nethery and illustrated by New Orleans resident, Jean Cassels. Kirby Larson lives in Kenmore, Washington. Larson is at work on two middle grade historical novels to be published in Fall 2010 and Spring 2011. www.kirbylarson.com
Mary Nethery is the author of many picture books, including Hannah and Jack, Mary Veronica's Egg, and Orange Cat Goes to Market.She shares the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award and the SIBA Award for Two Bobbies with her sweet friend, Kirby Larson. Nethery's newest picture book, The Famous Nini: A Mostly True Story of How a Plain White Cat Became a Star will be out from Clarion in Spring 2010. Mary Nethery lives in Eureka, California. www.marynethery.com
Larson and Nethery have a new book in stores now, Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine, and a Miracle. “Nubs” received a starred review from Booklist, debuted at #4 on the New York Times Best Sellers list, and was featured in the 11/16/09 issue of People Magazine. Major Dennis and Nubs were also guests on the Today Show, and the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. Reader's Digest is running a holiday feature interviewing Major Dennis in its December issue, reviews or features will be published in Military Officer magazine, AKC Family Dog magazine, The American Dog Magazine, Dog World, and Publishers Weekly. Awards: 2009 National Parenting Publication Gold Award, a Junior Library Guild Selection. For more information, check www.thestoryofnubs.com.
About the Illustrator
Jean Cassels has illustrated more than sixty nonfiction nature titles. Her other titles include Groundhog Stays Up Late, The Mysterious Collection of Dr. David Harleyson and Br’er Rabbit Captured! Cassels lives with her husband in New Orleans. They left the city with their three dogs a day before Katrina, and it was six weeks before they could return home to stay. Although there is still much left to accomplish throughout the city, Cassels is glad to say that through the determined efforts of the residents and the volunteers who have come to help, New Orleans is making a comeback. Visit her website at http://jean-cassels.com
About Octavia Books
513 Octavia Street, New Orleans, LA 70115 | 504-899-READ (7323) | www.octaviabooks.com
Octavia Books, an independent, locally-owned bookstore located uptown in New Orleans in a century old commercial building at the corner of Octavia and Laurel Streets, was the first bookstore in the New Orleans area to reopen following Hurricane Katrina. Octavia Books is a center of community activity and hosts numerous author events throughout the year. Illustrator Jean Cassels is a regular customer at Octavia Books and is currently writing a book about Pippin, Octavia Books’ bookstore dog.
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