This spring ’08 tour included a celebration of my new Dutton book, “THE BROOK BOOK”, and my new Sterling book, “WILD TRACKS!”. And it also included Scholastic’s launch of my latest “ALL ABOUT MANATEES” along with the new editions of all the other ALL ABOUT BOOKS with the Jim Arnosky Brand.
   It was a busy time. 23 events in 10 days in 14 different cities and towns in 3 East Coast states! We started at the annual IRA convention held this year in Atlanta, Ga. one of the most beautiful cities we’ve ever been to.
   I got to meet other authors from the Penguin Group and signed many copies of my “Brook Book” (Dutton) for enthusiastic teachers, reading specialist, and librarians. Fantastic dinners with wonderful Penguin group staff and authors, beautiful receptions, and a talk to a packed room at the convention which was held in the Georgia World Congress Center.
   I spoke about Nature as the ultimate reality show and the importance of truth and straight forwardness in writing about nature for young readers.
   Book signing at the Children’s Plus , Penguin/Putnam’s, Sterling, and Scholastic booths kept me busy all afternoon. I met so many people from so many places, it made my head spin.
   That afternoon Deanna and I walked to an Atlanta park and sat on a bench facing the sun which was setting over the city. Deanna spotted a pair of mocking birds nesting in a Holly tree.