Monkey's first autograph

Yesterday we took Monkey to The Great Children's Read on the Columbia University Campus. It was awesome. The fields were full of kids, listening to authors reading their very own books outloud, dancing to They Might Be Giants, and generally geeking out about literacy.

Monkey had a grand old time. We were fortunate enough to listen to John Bemelmans Marciano read Madeline and the Cats of Rome. (John is the grandson of Ludwig Bemelmans, who wrote the original Madeline). And then, armed with a copy of the book (purchased right there in the Target book tent - got to show Target some love if they are promoting literacy!!), we stood in line and had the author autograph the book. It was SO COOL! (and yes, I'm a geek)
We were fortunate enough to get to chat with the author for a bit, and M told him that Monkey loved the original Madeline so much she had much of it memorized. I'm pretty sure that the guy thought M was full of it, since he promptly asked Monkey what Madeline said to the tiger in the zoo. And, sure enough - she said poo poo! (the appropriate answer). This got a good laugh out of the author. I'm sure he gets sick of people telling him how much they loved his grandfather's books, even if they did provide him with the opportunity to write his own book - but this brought a big smile to his face.

So, Monkey got her first autograph. I'm just happy it is in a book, by an author, and not some hipster rockstar wannabe signing her chest with a sharpie.......... that can be her second autograph.