Last week I spent three days in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. Everything I did was within a 20-minute radius of the airport, and I never got into the city, but...I still had a blast.

My first stop was Des Plaines, where I gave a workshop for 50 talented students! This included my friend Kaprice, whom I met last time I was in Chicago two years ago...she was one of my very first fans, and it was great to see her again! Unfortunately I didn't get a good picture of us. :( I spent the next day giving a talk and workshops at a middle school in Bloomingdale. Here they are filing in for the morning presentation...425 students in all! The students had made dolls (out of Pringles cans) based on historical figures for a project, and one girl decided to do ME! So here's Raina from Smile, complete with glittering braces, a Girl Scout sash covered in badges, and the curly hair I suddenly developed in 8th grade.

On my final day, I was a guest author at LitWorks, a Teen Read Workshop! I gave two talks and one workshop--my workshop was so popular I had students sitting on the floor and on top of tables! The workshop got cut a little bit short, but the attendees produced some really terrific comics. I didn't manage to get a picture of myself with the other authors (Carl Deuker, Ron Koetrge, Julie Halpern, and Ellen Hopkins) but they were all wonderful and a joy to spend time with.

From there it was straight to the airport...but look what I found in the YA section of a bookstore at O'Hare: First airport sighting of Smile (or any of my books), ever!! That was a really proud moment for me, and a nice way to cap off a great trip. Thank you, Chicago! I hope to be back soon!

April is going to be a month chock-full of coast-to-coast travel, comics, books, and friends! Here's where you'll be able to find me in the next month. Click the event links for full details, locations, and directions! Saturday, April 3, 2:00 PM NYPL Literary Cafe: Graphic Novelists New York Public Library 42nd Street between 5th & 6th Avenues New York, NY

Join me, Tracy White, and Colleen A.F. Venable, for a discussion about graphic novels for kids, tweens and teens. (As part of the NYPL's Literary Cafe series, this is an adults-only forum.)

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April 10-11 MoCCA Art Fest New York, NY Exhibiting w/ the Comics Bakery: I'll have hardcover and paperback versions of Smile, original art, BSC books, and minicomics.

I'll be on a panel, Sunday April 11 at 4:30 PM: YA? Why Not! Join me, Hope Larson, Tracy White, and Jillian Tamaki as we discuss the YA and kids comics market, libraries, schools, and our work. Moderated by The Beat's Heidi MacDonald. Downstairs in the main panel room.

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April 16-18 C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo) Chicago, IL Find me in the Artist Alley! I'll have copies of Smile, original artwork, BSC books, t-shirts and minicomics!

Panel and presentation information coming soon!

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Tuesday, April 20 Challengers Comics + Conversation Store signing and reading (with Dave Roman) Chicago, IL 7 - 9 PM

Join Dave and I for a fun evening of live comics readings, music, books, and snacks!

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Thursday, April 22 Multnomah County Library Event Kenton Branch 8226 N. Denver Ave. Portland, OR 97217 (503) 988-5370

Time and details coming soon!

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April 24-25 Stumptown Comics Fest Portland, OR I'll be set up with copies of Smile, BSC books, minicomics, and original art!

Panel information coming soon!

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(And just for good measure...) Saturday, May 1 Books of Wonder Smile Signing and Reading! 18 West 18th St. New York, NY Noon - 2 PM

Come by BoW for a book reading with myself and a couple of other authors! May 1 is also Free Comic Book Day, so be sure to stop by your favorite local comic shop too!