Authors dream of publication and of book launches celebrating this wondrous achievement. Memories of my first published book, Feathers & Trumpets, A Story of Hildegard of Bingen, and its launch party are still sweet. However, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine my next book would have an international book signing. This fall, I found myself doing just that in Japan.
At the Asian Rural Institute's 50th Anniversary, many Japanese told me how happy they were to be able to read this book in their language. One professional translator remarked that the translation was excellent. Comments that the book, with its poetry and wonderful artwork, captured the ARI spirit warmed my heart.
Art Exhibition
We had been asked to bring along the original watercolor paintings for an art exhibition – not hard to do when the artist is a personal friend! So, we spent two weeks matting, framing and hanging the paintings at a wonderful café in an old school. Opening day was another memorable event, with the book selling out. We had a table with kids’ activities – origami farm animals to fold, tracings of the book’s art to color, and yummy farm animal sugar cookies. Not only was I enjoying an international book signing - my illustrator Susan Rock was having an international art show!
