Book Drive

Alamosa Books is hosting a book drive — The Gift of Reading — September 25 through December 5 with donations going to the Metro Detention Center, PB&J Therapeutic Preschool, and Barrett Foundation. This drive is sponsored by local authors and illustrators — those actively engaged in creating children's literature — in cooperation with The Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

The book drive kicked off with a huge author and illustrator fair at Alamosa on September 25, featuring many local authors and illustrators. We had crafts and food and quite a lot of fun! See our image gallery.

The Book Drive continues to grow, with events at Bookworks and Page One Bookstore planned for November.

Bring your donations to Alamosa Books and receive 10% off your next purchase of great kids' books!

Enjoy the Gift of Reading!

Here is the complete list of authors and illustrators featured in our book drive fair.

	Police Officers on Patrol by Kersten Hamilton Viking, $15.99, ages 2-5 What do Police Officers do? Where can they be found? What should you do if you need help? This rollicking picture book answers these questions and more with a reassuring, rhyming text and silly, cheerful illustrations. And by the time it's finished, everyone will know that the situation is under control. To find out about other books by Kersten, go to www.kerstenhamilton.com.
	Blind Tom: The Horse Who Helped Build the Great Railroad by Shirley Raye Redmond (author) & Lois Bradley (illustrator) Mountain Press Publishing, $10.00, ages 4-8 Learn about the world's first transcontinental railroad and the true story of Blind Tom, the workhorse who contributed to this important part of American history. With its engaging narrative and illustrations, Blind Tom will delight animal lovers of all ages.
	Amazing Armadillos by Jennifer Guess McKerley Random House, $3.99, ages 6-9 Armadillos are extraordinary! They jump three feet straight up, hold their breath underwater for 10 minutes, and eat 40,000 bugs in one meal. Follow as the armadillo forages for food, builds a home, and prepares for the birth of pups. Newly independent readers will love the fun and quirky facts.
	E Is For Enchantment: An ABC Book of New Mexico illustrated by Neecy Twinem (written by Helen Foster James) Sleeping Bear Press, $18.95, ages 5-8 Stroll around the adobe houses at the Pueblo de Taos. Ride the air at the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. Spelunk your way down to Carlsbad Caverns. And then do it all over again. E Is For Enchantment offers a guided A-Z tour through this fascinating state. For information about Neecy’s other books, visit www.neecytwinem.com.
	Hot Foot Teddy: The True Story of Smokey Bear by Sue Houser M. T. Publishing Company, $17.95, ages 6-10 This book chronicles the life of the burned cub rescued from a forest fire in Southern New Mexico. The cub became a counterpart to the poster Smokey Bear and, together, they waged a successful fire prevention program. This 40-page book is both a children’s storybook and a teaching aid for adults and children. It is licensed by the U.S. Forest Service. For more information go to www.suehouser.com.
	READiscover New Mexico: A Tri-lingual Adventure in Literacy by Kathy Barco Sunstone Press, $24.95, ages 7-12 Tag along with Rosita the Roadrunner on her journey to learn about the Land of Enchantment. On the trail meet Roja and Verde, the Chile twins; Biscochita, a smart cookie; Piñon Jay; Dusty the Tumbleweed; and a town full of prairie dogs who love to read. For more information about Kathy Barco, go to www.kathybarco.com.
	The Magical Mrs. Iptweet and Me by Barbara Mayfield Azro Press, $16.95, ages 7-12 Prudence Fish Hornby is nine-and-a-half and her big heart is broken. All of life looks dull and sad and hopeless. Plus she has a terrible name that does not reflect her true adventurous self, not even a bit. But who cares? Why bother? There's nothing to be done about anything. Until that windy day in March when a certain Mrs. Iptweet moves into the spooky, empty house on Durham Street and Pru's life changes.
	The Ghost on the Stairs by Chris Eboch Aladdin, $5.99, ages 8-12 The Haunted series follows siblings who travel with a ghost hunter TV show. They try to help the ghosts, while keeping their activities secret from meddling grownups. In The Ghost on the Stairs, a ghost bride waits for her missing husband to return. Visit www.chriseboch.com for more of Chris's books.
	The Healing Spell by Kimberley Griffiths Little Scholastic Press, $17.99, ages 8-12 Eleven-year-old Livie is living with a secret and it's crushing her. Stuck in the middle of three sisters, hiding a forbidden pet alligator, and afraid to disappoint her daddy, Livie struggles to find her place within her own family as she learns about the powers of faith and redemption. Visit www.kimberleygriffithslittle.com for more of Kimberley’s books.
	The Secret of Laurel Oaks by Lois Ruby Starscape Books, $5.99, ages 11-14 When Albuquerque brother and sister, Gabe and Lila, spend the night at Laurel Oaks in Louisiana, they awaken the restless spirit of a slave girl named Daphne, along with all the spirits involved in mysterious deaths in this house, 170 years ago. To find out about other books by Lois, visit www.loisruby.com.
	The Bad Queen: Rules and Instructions for Marie-Antoinette by Carolyn Meyer Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $18.00, ages 13 up History paints her as a shallow party girl, a spoiled fashionista, a callous ruler. Perhaps no other royal has been so maligned — and so misunderstood — as Marie-Antoinette. In this latest installment of her acclaimed Young Royals series, Meyer reveals the dizzying rise and horrific downfall of the last Queen of France. For more books by Carolyn, see www.readcarolyn.com.
	Take Me There by Carolee Dean Simon & Schuster, $8.99, ages 13 up Try as he might to get on the right side of the law, trouble follows Dylan Dawson wherever he goes, and a deadly mistake forces him to leave behind the girl he loves as he searches for answers to questions he wished he’d never asked. Visit www.caroleedean.com for more of Carolee’s books.