Young readers and dinosaur enthusiasts can meet New York Times bestselling children’s author and illustrator Tom Angleberger at WordPlay bookstore in Wardensville on Saturday, March 29, at 11AM. The free event is a celebration of Angleberger’s newest book Dino Poet, the first title in a hilarious young graphic-novel series recommended for ages 5-8.
The laugh-out-loud story features Dino Poet and his lunch, a prehistoric frog, who set off into the wide wild world, chasing life, chasing poetry–until a T-Rex starts chasing them! The book serves as a fun and accessible introduction to poetry for young readers, teaching them about rhyme schemes, haikus, limericks, and more. At the event, Angleberger will read excerpts from Dino Poet, share the “story behind the story,” and lead an interactive drawing activity with kids in attendance.
Copies of Dino Poet and other books by Tom Angleberger will be available for purchase and signing at the event. Kids will receive a free dino-mite gift bag, courtesy of WordPlay Connects (the nonprofit arm of WordPlay), filled with activity sheets, stickers, and a special journal and pencil for writing poems at home. The March 29 event marks Angleberger’s first visit to WordPlay, and shop owner Marlene England is thrilled that area residents will get to meet one of her favorite children’s authors.
“We’ve hosted Tom before at our sister store Curious Iguana in Frederick Maryland, and he is fantastic,” she says. “He’s incredibly talented, high energy, and so funny–the kids just love him.” She adds that attendees can enter to win an autographed six-copy set of Angleberger’s beloved Origami Yoda series, along with Art2-D2’s Guide to Folding and Doodling, an Origami Yoda activity book.
Angleberger is traveling to Hardy County from his home in southwest Virginia, where he lives with his wife, author/illustrator Cece Bell, and their children. He is the author of several bestselling series, including Origami Yoda, Geronimo Stilton, Two-Headed Chicken, Qwikpick Papers, and DJ Funkyfoot, Didi Dodo, and Inspector Flytrap books in the Flytrap Files series. The March 29 event is free; no registration required.
WordPlay is located at 50 West Main Street in Wardensville, and the event will take place on WordPlay’s porch. For more information, email info@wordplaywv.com or call 304.897.2233
