By Misty DUPLESSIS

Flintridge Bookstore in La Cañada and L.A. Parent magazine held their second annual Mother & Daughter Book Party on Sunday, Jan. 30. The party offered a chance for moms and daughters to share their love of reading while providing an opportunity to meet several well-known authors that were of particular interest to attendees. The event was split into two segments so that age groups could mingle with the authors whose books were at their reading level. The first hour and a half was geared towards third through sixth graders and included authors Carol Hughes, Carolyn Hennesy, Gayle Brandeis, Kathleen O’Dell, Naomi Hirahara and Randi Barrow. Some of these featured writers recently made their debut while others are well established in their field.

Catherine Linka, children’s book buyer for Flintridge Bookstore, chose this year’s diverse authors because she wanted to introduce participants to a variety of writers representing several genres. Some of the works on display were categorized as contemporary fiction and fantasy as well as historical fiction.

On hand were authors Amy Goldman Koss, Cecil Castelucci, Margaret Stohl, Morgan Matson and Sherri Smith who shared their books. Their stories were of particular interest to girls from sixth through ninth grades.

For the event at the store authors were stationed at tables with their books on display. Mothers and daughters chatted with the writers about their books, writing styles and the sometimes long process of creating the finished product.

Linka hoped to educate attendees further by introducing them to a mixture of diverse writing styles so that the girls could get a preview of what types of books were available to them. Last year she approached La Cañada resident and L.A. Parent associate editor Ronna Mandel asking for the magazine’s support so that this literary function would reach a larger audience.

Mandel was proud to support the local Book Party.

“After you meet an author and hear what they have to say, it can make a difference. I wanted to read all their books,” said Mandel of the authors who participated.

The girls and their mothers were encouraged to ask questions of the authors and share their writing experiences as they made their way around the room.

This year was the first time mother Amy Kan and daughter Bella attended the Book Party. The pair enjoyed their time getting to know about the people behind the books.

“It’s really good. I’ve listened to three [authors] and I am interested in two more,” Bella said of the books she learned about. “They all seem really good.”

The cost to attend the meet and greet was only $5 per family and the girls were able to apply $2 of that fee toward the purchase of one of the books showcased. Flintridge Bookstore was pleased with the Book Party turn out and looks forward to hosting more in the years to come.

  flintridge bookstore, mother-daughter party