Guest Post: Heather Hartt-Sussman

Last Saturday, Heather Hartt-Sussman presented Nana’s Getting Married at Indigo Yorkdale. Children, parents, and grandparents attended the special story time and Heather signed books after her reading. If you weren’t able to make it to the event, Indigo Yorkdale has a few signed copies left – first come, first serve!

Heather Hartt-Sussman even brought in the original artwork by Georgia Graham!

We also have a guest post today, please welcome Heather Hartt-Sussman!

HH-S: I wrote Nana’s Getting Married when my then 5-year-old son asked me why in the world we were at my mother’s wedding. He was confused because it contradicted the order of things. You attend your children’s and grandchildren’s weddings; not the other way around. He knew this to be true, at 5, but I had to explain to him that my mom had been divorced from my father since I was 8, and she had finally, thirty years later, fallen in love again.

It lead me to think about how confused I was when my parents started dating again after their divorce. I, like my son, was upset that this wasn’t the way it was “supposed” to be. I have since learned, and I have tried to impress upon my two sons as well, that you only get upset when you bank on “normal.” If you modify your expectations and stop dictating the way you think things should be, you can have a lot more freedom to enjoy the way things just are.

Further, with the baby boom population getting older, you can be pretty sure there will be a LOT more grandchildren attending their grandparents second and even third weddings, as people are living longer, and benefiting from more vibrant health.

In Person: Heather Hartt-Sussman

Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 12:00 noon
Join us for a special story time at noon! Heather Hartt-Sussman will be reading from her picture book, Nana’s Getting Married, and signing copies afterwards.

Indigo – Yorkdale Shopping Centre
3401 Dufferin Street
Toronto, ON M6A 2T9
Tel: (416) 781-6660

Heather Hartt-Sussman
Born in Montreal, graduated from Brandeis University and attended the Sorbonne. She has been a copywriter for BCP in Montreal, a reporter for the Hollywood Reporter, editor-in-chief of international news for TV Guide in French Canada, columnist of the popular “Heather Hartt in Hollywood,” and host of E! Entertainment Television’s The Gossip Show. Nana’s Getting Married is her first book. Heather Hartt-Sussman lives in Toronto with her husband, sons Scotty and Jack, and the family dog.

Praise for Nana’s Getting Married:
“…brassy chalk-pastel illustrations feature caricatures with comedic particulars…. [the] message about open-mindedness and acceptance hits its mark.” – Publishers Weekly

“…guarantees delight and amusement to readers of all ages…. It is a pleasure to find a picture book whose strong message is matched with a light touch…. Highly Recommended.” – CM Magazine

“…This story is a two-sided winner. It has a solid ‘purpose’ to it – helping children to understand and accept change. As a bonus it is a delightful read aloud…. The illustrations are wonderfully whimsical.… Recommended.” – Resource Links

Fall in love… with books!

Don’t forget! Valentine’s Day is on Sunday, February 14, 2010! Click on the covers for more information:

Nana’s Getting Married
By Heather Hartt-Sussman
Illustrated by Georgia Graham
ISBN 978-0-88776-911-5

“…brassy chalk-pastel illustrations feature caricatures with comedic particulars…. this message about open-mindedness and acceptance hits its mark.” – Publishers Weekly

Here Comes the Bride
By Beatrice Masini
Illustrated by Anna Laura Cantone
ISBN 978-0-88776-898-9

“…Masini’s story is a flurry of comedy…. Cantone’s paintings with collage are a marvel.…give readers their first laugh beginning on page one.” – School Library Journal

I Love Chocolate
By Davide Cali
Illustrated by Evelyn Daviddi
ISBN 978-0-88776-912-2

“…a sweet storytime.”
School Library Journal

 

A Wizard in Love
By Mireille Levert
Illustrated by Marie Lafrance
ISBN 978-0-88776-901-6

“… this is not your average love story!”
– Excellent from Resource Links

 

The Princess Who Had Almost Everything
By Mireille Levert
Illustrated by Josee Masse
ISBN 978-0-88776-887-3

“… This tale helps entertain as well as promises a solution to boredom. It encourages the gifts of imagination and creativity. Fun for all!” – Resource Links

The Lime Green Secret
By Georgia Graham
ISBN 978-0-88776-841-5

“… The book captures the spirit of dressing up for a special occasion, and it’s fun to see the wedding through the eyes of the flower girl…” – Wedded Bits, Brides.com

Cinderella
Retold by Michele Marineau
Illustrated by Mylene Pratt
ISBN 978-0-88776-825-5

“There’s never been a Cinderella story without a happy ending, and this one is no exception. Exceptional here, though, is the droll, modernist retelling, with charming illustrations to match.” – Globe and Mail

A Roundup of Ten Questions with…

Open Book Toronto logoOnce again, the wonderful team at Open Book: Toronto interviewed some of our Fall 2009 authors and illustrators. Many thanks to Clelia and Amy for their hard work! Click on the links below to read Open Book: Toronto’s Ten Questions with:

You can take a look at the Spring 2009 Ten Question interviews here. Stay tuned for interviews from our Spring 2010 authors and illustrators!