Leading up to the release of Button Hill, I imagined the official launch at the Saskatoon McNally Robinson on April 27 at 7:00pm (you should come; there will be cookies and punch and reading) as the first big public moment in my life as an author. How wrong I was.
I have experienced many wonderfully surreal moments of celebration over the past few weeks, and I head into this final weekend before the book launch at McNally Robinson feeling blessed to have received so much support from the local writing and school communities. Here are a few highlights I wanted to share with you
First time I saw it on the bookshelf:
Button Hill – first day at McNally Robinson in Saskatoon – only 3 feet from Roald Dahl!
Then, right after:
First reader to bring home ‘Button Hill’ from McNally Robinson – the best big bookstore in Saskatoon!
Then over spring break, the grade 8 teacher at my school shared this with me:
Jodi says: “Just finished a fantastic, creepy new book by my awesome VP Michael Bradford. ‘Button Hill’ is a must read. My students are going to love it when I start reading it to them this week.”
Last week, on “dress as your favorite book character” day during our school’s literacy week, a grade 2 girl came to school dressed as the Nightclock, pendulum and all:
On “dress as your favourite book character day,” this student came dressed as the Nightclock.
There were also five boys dressed as Dekker (with zombified cut-out tomatoes pinned to their chests!) and even one Mr. Bradford (with hair).
Last but not least, my school hosted a book launch assembly in my honour this week. I was humbled to read from Button Hill for the first time, to an audience of children and teachers who are so proud and happy for me. I even got to sit in the “honour chair” reserved for special guests.
Button Hill display at school – kids like to be scared in both official languages!
Perhaps it was a coincidence that my book entered the public domain during our school’s literacy week, but it was such a thrill to be a part of it.
In case I don’t see you at McNally Robinson on Monday night, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has wished me well, and to everyone at Saskatoon Public Schools who has talked about Button Hill with me and with others – I have felt so blessed and humbled to be part of such a supportive community this month.
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