I arrived at JFK Middle School thirty minutes before the scheduled start time and the parking lot was already half full. Parents and kids eagerly waited in their cars for the first band to take the stage at 10AM. The 3rd annual Meltdown was, by all measures, a huge success! An estimated two-gazillion people turned up to listen to hip kindie (kid-indie) music and visit with some fantastic authors.
I kicked the author track off with some goofing off on the drawing pad. Here I am with The River's morning show host, Monte Belmonte. Scott Fischer also made an appearance—we had a "squiggle-doodle-off".
 |
| Photo by Jeff Boggle of Out with the Kids |
Kevin Markey, the author of the awesome SUPER SLUGGER series, entranced the kids with baseball gum and this incredible photo of Babe Ruth in a Red Sox uniform, which is autographed by Ruth's granddaughter!
Jef Czekaj didn't read, but rapped Hip and Hop Don't Stop. It tore the roof of the place. Here's a tiny glimpse:
Jeannie Birdsall talked about what landmarks around town inspired the Penderwicks sisters' hometown, the fictional Cameron, MA. She also read from the third book, The Penderwicks of Point Mouette, which won't be published until May! (Fans nearly fainted.)
Finally, Jon Scieszka took the stage! Mr. Scieszka gave a sidesplitting set that included readings from The Stinky Cheese Man, Knucklehead and a chapter from Spaceheadz, written entirely in hamster.
Here's Jon with Marika and Sophia, the dedicated booksellers from The Odyssey Bookshop, who were on hand to sell books to the Meltdown-going public.
Jeannie Birdsall talked about what landmarks around town inspired the Penderwicks sisters' hometown, the fictional Cameron, MA. She also read from the third book, The Penderwicks of Point Mouette, which won't be published until May! (Fans nearly fainted.)
Finally, Jon Scieszka took the stage! Mr. Scieszka gave a sidesplitting set that included readings from The Stinky Cheese Man, Knucklehead and a chapter from Spaceheadz, written entirely in hamster.
Here's Jon with Marika and Sophia, the dedicated booksellers from The Odyssey Bookshop, who were on hand to sell books to the Meltdown-going public.
Want to learn more about the killer bands that rocked the stage? Listen to the audio archive for Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child, The River's Saturday morning kids' show hosted by Bill Childs along with his kids, Ella and Liam. Bill brings in all the bands and I consider him to be the Dick Clark of cool current day kids' music. So bookmark his site and listen online frequently!
No comments:
Post a Comment