Upcoming Events
Saturday, December 9, 2023
10:30 am to 11:30 am CT
An “Ode to Joy”
The Book Stall, 811 Elm Street, Winnetka, IL – 847–446-8880
For the wonderful readers and music lovers in your life! celebrating the book, What Music! The Fifty-Year Friendship Between Beethoven and Nannette Streicher, Who Built His Pianos. Ms. Lawlor masterfully uses forgotten historical letters, a glossary, and rich back matter on both friends’ lives and art to introduce readers to the man behind the music and the woman who built his pianos.
Lawlor deftly depicts how these two fascinating friends — a composer with hearing loss and a woman who became an innovative piano maker in a time that discouraged female entrepreneurship — ought the odds and worked together in perfect harmony.
Ms. Lawlor will be happy to sign her book following the story time! Great for kids ages 6 to 9 as well as the musically inclined of all ages.
Past Events

The conference is designed for teachers of grades 3 — 8 and school librarians. Telephone 617.514.1600 for more information.
Young people are increasingly aware of the challenges to our planet. With each new environmental crisis, they are demanding action and asking leaders to acknowledge that, in President Kennedy’s words, “The supreme reality of our time is our indivisibility … and our common vulnerability on this planet.” This day-long conference will explore how literature can help students to understand the interconnectedness of the natural world and how educators can prepare young people to face the urgent challenges of a changing climate.
Join keynote speaker Dr. J. Drew Lanham and award-winning authors Laurie Lawlor, Sy Montgomery, Anita Sanchez and Melissa Stewart to discuss the impact of climate change and how literature can empower students to navigate the future with hope and determination.
Additionally, conference participants will be able to browse and purchase books, converse with colleagues, meet the authors/illustrator, and participate in workshops on climate justice and strategies to cultivate environmental empathy in the classroom.
Download the conference brochure.
Registration includes lunch, handouts, and annotated bibliography of recommended children’s books related to the conference.
Early registration fee: $85 August 14 — October 6, 2023
Regular registration fee: $100 October 7 — November 1, 2023
Purchase Order (PO) Number.
Register with a credit card.
For information, contact Esther Kohn, esther.kohn@nara.gov.
Supported by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation

The Book Stall
Monday, July 10, 2023, 6:30 pm
811 Elm Street, Winnetka, Illinois
Amid so much dire climate change news, wondering what you can do to make a difference to help save the planet? Laurie Lawlor will discuss her new nonfiction book with readers age 10 and up, Restoring Prairie, Woods, and Pond How a Small Trail Can Make a Big Difference.
Inspiring environmental success story tells how a small town with few resources comes together to restore nature and create a valuable resource for the entire community.
This event for adults and children is co-sponsored by Go Green Reads. The mission of Go Green Winnetka is to raise awareness regarding sustainability and inspire schools, governmental units, organizations, businesses, and individuals to take action targeting climate change, waste, and sustainable raw materials.
American Library Association Annual Conference 2023
Chicago, Illinois
Monday, June 26, 2023, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Chapter One Stage, Convention Center
Autographing Restoring Prairie, Woods, and Pond: How a Small Trail Can Make a Big Difference
American Library Association Annual Conference 2023
Chicago, Illinois
Monday, June 26, 2023, 12:30 to 1:20 p.m.
Chapter One Stage, Convention Center
Panel Presenter for Program:
“Saving Planet Earth:
Introducing The Books for a Better Earth Collection”
Hosted by Mary Cash,VP and Editor In Chief,
Holiday House Publishing, Inc.

Society of Midland Authors Award Ceremony
Children’s Reading Round Table / Children’s Nonfiction Award
Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 6:00 pm cash bar, 7:00 pm dinner
Cliff Dwellers Club, 200 S. Michigan Ave., 22nd floor, Chicago, Illinois
Carol Marin, co-director of the DePaul Center for Journalism Integrity & Excellence and NBC5’s former political editor, will emcee the awards banquet. The keynote speaker will be Urbana novelist and short-story author Jean Thompson, a professor emerita at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who served as a judge in the adult fiction category.
MA/MFA Graduate & Faculty Virtual Autumn Reading
Thursday, Nov 11, 2021, 7:00 to 8:15 pm
Storybook Stroll with Laurie Lawlor
featuring Big Tree Down!
Friday, Sept 24, 2021, 8:00 am,
to Saturday, Sept 25, 2021, 5:00 pm
Start at the Eagle Municipal Building, follow the signs through the Eagle Nature Trail to read along with the story, ending at the Eagle Elementary School.
Hosted by the Alice Baker Public Library
Eagle, WI (262) 594‑2800
* ! * Enter a drawing in the Library from Sept 20–24 for a chance to win a signed copy of Big Tree Down!
* ! * Meet me, Laurie Lawlor, on the trail Friday, Sept 24, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm and from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the Trail Photo Contest Reception.

Bedtime Story with Laurie Lawlor
Fearless World Traveler: Adventures of Marianne North
Virtual on Zoom
Friday, May 14, 2021, 7:00 pm
Wellesley Books, Wellesley, MA

Readathon Kick-off with Laurie Lawlor
Fearless World Traveler: Adventures of Marianne North
Virtual Author Visit
Monday, April 26, 2021, 4:00 pm
Edison School, Chicago, IL

Boogie Down Storytime with Laurie Lawlor
Fearless World Traveler: Adventures of Marianne North
Virtual – Zoom
Saturday, April 17, 2021, 10:00 am ET
The Bronx, New York City
