There is a saying, "A friend is a gift that you give yourself." The Ivy is delighted to be hosting award-winning author Thanhhà Lại for a celebration of the gift of friendship, about which she writes beautifully in her latest novel in verse, When Clouds Touch Us, a sequel to the National Book Award-winning Inside Out & Back Again. Thanhhà will be joined in conversation with author and poet Laura Shovan.

After the book talk and signing, kids ages 8-12 are invited to celebrate their friends and friendship by making kumihimo friendship bracelets with Social Studio! Learn this traditional technique of using colored string and a notched circle to make an intricately woven cord. Leave with a kit to keep you busy all summer long! $10 fee includes workshop and materials.

Click here to RSVP for the Celebration of Friendship!

Click here to register for the Friendship Bracelet workshop!

Click here to preorder When Clouds Touch Us!

Click here to preorder Welcome to Monsterville by Laura Shovan!

Thanhhà Lại is the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of Inside Out & Back Again, her debut novel in verse, which won both a National Book Award and a Newbery Honor. The sequel, When Clouds Touch Us, will be published in early May. She also wrote the acclaimed novel, Listen, Slowly, the award-winning YA debut, Butterfly Yellow, and the picture book, Hundred Years of Happiness.

Thanhhà was born in Việt Nam and now lives in New York with her family. To learn more about her and her charity, Việt Kids Inc., visit thanhhalai.com.

Laura Shovan is a novelist, educator and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet. Her award-winning children’s books include The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary, Takedown, and the Sydney Taylor Notable A Place at the Table, written with Saadia Faruqi. She is a longtime poet-in-the-schools for the Maryland State Arts Council and teaches for Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA program. Her latest poetry collection for kids is Welcome to Monsterville.

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