Anastasia Suen at Frisco Reads 2010

While Facebooking on Monday when I should have been writing, I caught a little blurb from Anastasia Suen about Frisco Reads 2010, where she would be in attendance signing books and emanating greatness. My words, not hers, although that would have been pretty funny. I quickly concluded that I simply had to be there. Broken toe or non, how many chances does one get to meet Anastasia Suen frente a frente? I recently completed Part 1 of her Intensive Picture Book Writing Workshop, and will be starting Part 2 on the third of November. I wanted to meet my teacher in person.

Granted, I was a bit nervous. I wasn't sure if I should be subjecting my poor little toe to so much walking, and harbored a fear that my three year old son Joe would spot something shiny and irresistible, take off across the parking lot to fetch it, and that I wouldn't be able to chase him. History has also taught me that I'd probably babble to Anastasia about hairless monkeys and toddler poop, and that she'd be justified in barring me from future workshops.

Thankfully, everything turned out fine. Anastasia recalled that I'd mentioned my gimpy toe once or twice or thrice, and I rewarded her attentiveness to detail by wriggling a stinky foot in her face. Then, my usually ebullient Joe got down on all fours and scurried under her table. Even that didn't phase her. I probably should have allowed him a minute to adjust to the crowded, noisy cafeteria before approaching Anastasia, but I didn't want to chance missing her book signing. Joe recovered in time to wave her a proper bye-bye, and was back his normal cheerful self within minutes, thanks to the golden belly of Rosie the Therapy Dog.

Cover of Hamster Chase (Easy-to-Read, Puffin)

Anastasia was great. She didn't even whack me over the head for hovering when she spoke to a fan and her two adorable near-tween sons, who obviously hold Anastasia in Rock Star status (as they should). Seems in my intentness to coaxing Joe from under her table, I neglected to ask Anastasia to sign HAMSTER CHASE for Lily as well. When I finally did, she was kind enough to comply.

Below is a picture of the lot of us. Anastasia is the normal one standing on her own two feet. For some reason, I thought it would be a better idea to kneel and keep my hands on Joe in case he got any notions about scooting under the table again.

Cover of Red Light, Green Light

That night at bedtime, I was sifting through Joe's library books, asking him which he wanted to read, when he announced: "RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT!" I attempted to explain that it was a very special book, written and signed by Ms. Anastasia Suen herself, and that it was resting in a place of honor on my bookshelf and therefore not touchable by live people without kidskin gloves. But he made the puppy face, so I unshelved the object of his desire and we enjoyed it together. Joe's favorite part was the robot towards the end. "He's telling the cars where to go!" And then, "How did he get there?"

Ahh, good times. :D Thanks, Anastasia!