Forest of Reading Gala "Blast-off" with Peggy Dymond Leavey

The Forest of Reading gala "Blast-off" at the Ontario Library Association's Superconference (MTCC, Toronto, Wed. Jan. 31) was just that. Between 30 & 40 children's authors and illustrators, all nominees for the Blue Spruce, Silver Birch, Red Maple or White Pine reading program awards, were led into Constitution Hall and introduced to 1200 wildly cheering young fans from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Napoleon Publishing's Peggy Dymond Leavey was one such honouree. When else does a lowly children's author get to be treated like a rock star? Later, the participants were all kept busy autographing and chatting with the students. After the school buses had gone, the wine and cheese reception gave everyone a chance to meet each other and the members of OLA's Forest of Reading committee. The next day a number of authors returned to do book signings for the librarians visiting the trade show; needless to say, an event in a much lower key.