Love me tender (a Lightship reading)

I’m looking forward to doing a reading of Lightship here in New York this Saturday, July 28, as part of Books Ahoy!, a celebration of children’s books sponsored by Pen Parentis. The event description: 

“Presented by Pen Parentis, best known for our upscale evening Literary Salons at Gild Hall, a Thompson Hotel, and co-sponsored by HRP Mamas, Books Ahoy! will celebrate the works of various children's book authors, presenting them reading in an open-air, open house style festival on the deck of the 1933 lighthouse tender, The Lilac, moored on the Hudson River at Pier 25, accessible from N. Moore Street. Books will be vended by our favorite indie bookstore, Bluestockings Books, and all children dressed in nautical themes can have their faces painted - free - by a celebrated NYC artist. The Lilac will offer free tours that include visits to the engine room. There is even a wooden captain's wheel that kids are encouraged to spin. 

And don't worry if your kids age 3-10 can't sit still for more than a few minutes. Authors will be reading between 2pm and 5pm in constant rotation and if even that is too much for the little ones, the Lilac is moored off Pier 25 at North Moore Street in Tribeca and will not leave the shore. Kids accompanied by an adult guardian can board and disembark at will, sit and listen to an author read a story, work at the art table, get a (temporary) tattoo, then wander off to the adjacent playground or buy a round of mini-golf.”

What’s going to be really great about this reading (for me, anyway) is that the Lilac actually used to service the Ambrose lightship. She even shows up in the book to drop off mail for the crew. Back in January, I was amazed to receive a note from a woman who recognized the Lilac in the book, thanks to the fact that her grandfather once captained her. (Completists can read that blog post here.)

Also reading will be Melanie Hope-Greenberg, Adam Rubin, Yona McDonough, and Julia Sarcone-Roach. Our rough schedule is:

2:15-2:30  Melanie Hope-Greenberg
2:45-3:00  Adam Rubin
3:15-3:30 Yona McDonough
3:45-4:00 Brian Floca
4:15- 4:30 Julia Sarcone-Roach

The Lilac is berthed at Hudson River Park's Pier 25, located in Tribeca, at North Moore Street and West Street. The closest subway stations are the Franklin Street stop on the 1 or Canal Street on the A/C/E (exit at Walker Street). North Moore Street is one block north of Franklin Street, or a block south of Walker Street. Walk west on North Moore to the pier. Additional event details are here. 

I hope you’ll be able to make it!