On Sunday, April 27 at 6PM, WordPlay will host acclaimed children’s author Katherine Applegate for a free event at East Hardy High School auditorium in Baker, West Virginia. Applegate will speak about her reading and writing journey and specifically her newest book, Odder: An Otter’s Story, the picture-book retelling of her mid-grade novel of the same name, which spent more than 80 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Applegate is traveling to West Virginia from her home in Nevada. The April 27 event at East Hardy High is the first stop on her national book tour.
In addition to Odder: An Otter’s Story, Applegate has written numerous books for young readers, including The One and Only Ivan, which won a Newbery Medal; The One and Only Bob; Wishtree; Odder; the Doggo and Pupper series; and Animorphs. She is also the coauthor, with Gennifer Choldenko, of Dogtown and Mouse and His Dog: A Dogtown Book.
As she was writing Odder, Applegate spent a significant amount of time researching the animal that she has grown incredibly fond of. “I started out writing an adventure story about an otter and veered in a whole different direction when I learned about the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s surrogate mother program for orphaned baby otters,” she says, adding that she highly recommends the Aquarium’s Sea Otter Cam (montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams/sea-otter-cam). “You’ll come away smiling ear to ear. And while the Cute Factor definitely plays a role in the popularity of otters, they
are also considered a keystone species, highly important in the preservation of vital ocean habitats.”
Applegate is excited to talk about her new picture book with young readers and eager to hear their reaction not only to the story but to the illustrations as well. “More than anything, I can’t wait for folks to fall in love with Charles Santoso’s gorgeous illustrations. I’ve been lucky to work with Charles on several books, but with this picture book, he’s really outdone himself! The beauty of the ocean world shines through on every page.”
At the April 27 event, and at two school visits in Hampshire County the following day, Applegate will share her personal reading journey with children. “I was not much of a reader when I was young,” she admits, “until I fell in love with what I call my ‘best friend book’: Charlotte’s Web. I believe there is a book out there waiting for every kid that’s going to be life-changing.”
Although Odder: An Otter’s Story doesn’t officially release to the public until April 29, the publisher granted special permission to WordPlay to sell copies at the April 27 event. WordPlay also will have other titles by Applegate available for purchase and signing at the event. Twenty percent of all sales will benefit WordPlay Connects, the nonprofit arm of WordPlay that regularly hosts author and illustrator programs in area schools and has to date gifted more than 12,500 books to young readers through school and community events.
The April 27 event is free and open to the general public; no registration or ticket required. East Hardy High School is located at 259 Cougar Drive in Baker, WV. Doors will open at 5:30PM. For more information, email info@wordplaywv.com or call 304.897.2233.
