Past Events/Photo Gallery

Speaking at the 2023 Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. Photo: David Taber for the CCBF

Speaking on the KidLit TV tribute to Vicki Cobb at the 2023 Chappaqua Children’s Book Fest with (from l.) Alexandra Siy, Selene Castrovilla, Roxie Munro, Sally Cook, and me. Photo: David Taber for the CCBF

In June 2023 Susanna attended a workshop for published children’s book authors at the Highlights Foundation and stayed in the Nikki Grimes cottage.

Children’s book authors, illustrators, and editors at the Highlights Foundation, June 2023.

Susanna in the KidLit TV studio in NYC, filming a video for the PEN America Children’s and Young Adult Books Committee. August 2022.

With Cynthia Weill, Director of the Center for Children’s Literature at Bank Street College of Education. Susanna is a member of the Bank Street Writers Lab, which won a Carle Honor in 2017.

“The Susannas” at the 2019 Carle Honors. Author Susanna Reich and Education Professor Susannah Richards with the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

At the 2019 Carle Honors with my friend and mentor Ed Young.

Susanna accepts the 2018 Rip Van Winkle Award for Outstanding Contributions to Children’s Literature from Dara Berkwits, Chair, School Library Media Specialists of Southeastern NY (SLMSSNY).

Shari McNair, President of SLMSSNY (left), congratulates Susanna on receiving the 2018 Rip Van Winkle Award.

In her acceptance speech for the 2018 Rip Van Winkle Award, Susanna praised librarians as the guardians and disseminators of story, and hailed the power of books to foster empathy and help children navigate life’s challenges.

In March 2018 Susanna was one of 20 children’s book authors chosen to participate in a week-long trip to Israel sponsored by PJ Library and PJ Our Way.

On the PJ Library Author Israel Adventure we participated in an underground archaeological dig and found numerous ancient artifacts.

The PJ Library authors donned hard hats to enter an active dig under the Old City in Jerusalem.

Pnina Shor, director of the Dead Sea Scrolls Project, showed the PJ Library authors scroll fragments up close.

Behind the scenes at the Israel Museum with the PJ Library Author Israel Adventure.

In May 2018 Susanna and her husband, Gary Golio, were presented with the 2018 Alice Curtis Desmond Award for Outstanding Contributions to Children’s Literature at the annual gala of the Desmond-Fish Library in Garrison, NY.

Singer-songwriter Dar Williams (center) introduced Susanna and Gary and thanked them for introducing young readers to the connection between music and social justice.

With Gary Golio at the 2017 Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. Photo by Joana Segal.

At the 2017 Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, Susanna spoke on a nonfiction panel with (front row from l.) Roxie Munro, Vicki Cobb, Sarah Albee. (Back row): Susanna and moderator Karen Sterling. Photo by Bo Zaunders.

Susanna and Gary with fans at the 2017 Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. Photo by Joana Segal.

In March 2017 Indie bookstore The Voracious Reader held a signing and sing-along for Susanna’s “Stand Up and Sing! Pete Seeger, Folk Music, and the Path to Justice” and Gary Golio’s “Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday and the Power of a Protest Song.” From left: Gary Golio, Voracious Reader owner Francine Lucidon, Susanna Reich.

At The Village Bookstore for the March 2017 launch party for “Stand Up and Sing! Pete Seeger, Folk Music and the Path to Justice” and “Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday and the Power of a Protest Song.” From left: illustrator Adam Gustavson, Village Bookstore owner Roy Solomon, Gary Golio, Susanna Reich.

Susanna reading “Minette’s Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat” live on KidLit TV’s celebration of Reading Awareness Month, March 2017.

Susanna spoke on a panel at the Mt. Airy Kids’ Literary Festival at Philadelphia’s Blue Marble Bookstore. With E.B. Lewis and Gary Golio. April 2016.

Susanna and illustrator Raúl Colón presenting “José! Born to Dance” at the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling as part of the 2016 PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature.

Presenting “José! Born to Dance” at the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling in Harlem. April 2016

Raúl leading an art project as part of the “José! Born to Dance” presentation at the PEN World Voices Festival. Kids also attended a workshop with the Limón Dance Company. April 2016

Susanna at the 2016 Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.

Susanna and illustrator Raúl Colón at the Tomás Rivera Award 20th Anniversary Literature Fair. Each Rivera Award-winning author and illustrator carried a giant poster of their book cover in a parade with thousands of schoolchildren. September 2016.

Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award winners, 2006-2016. From left: Magaly Morales, Susanna Reich, Yuyi Morales, Guadalupe Garcia-McCall, Raúl Colón, Duncan Tonatiuh, Amada Irma Perez, Isabel Quintero, Alex Sanchez, Susan Goldman Rubin. September 2016.

At the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award Conference. From left: Texas Poet Laureate Carmen Tafolla, Susanna, and “José! Born to Dance” illustrator Raúl Colón with paletas. September 2016.

“Fab Four Friends: The Boys Who Became the Beatles” launch event at indie bookstore The Voracious Reader, Larchmont, NY. September 2015.

Susanna with a young fan at The Voracious Reader. September 2015.

With illustrator Adam Gustavson at the “Fab Four Friends” book launch at The Village Bookstore, Pleasantville, NY. September 2015.

Adam sharing original art from “Fab Four Friends.” September 2015.

The “Fab Four Friends” launch party ended with a Beatles sing-along.

Susanna and Adam in a ’60s mood at the “Fab Four Friends” launch party. September 2015.

At the 2015 Millbrook Literary Festival, Susanna spoke on a nonfiction picture book panel with (from r.) Doreen Rappaport, Gary Golio and Catherine Ciocchi.

At the 2014 PEN Literary Awards. In her role as Chair of the PEN Children’s and YA Books Committee, Susanna welcomed Bil Lepp, winner of the Steven Kroll Award, and Ame Dyckman, shortlisted author.

At the 2015 Texas Library Association Annual Conference, Susanna and Gary spoke on a picture book biography panel with Don Tate and Chris Barton. Pictured l.to r.: Don, Susanna, Gary.

After speaking about “Fab Four Friends” on the TLA panel, Susanna poses with a giant guitar on Congress St. in Austin. April 2015.

Susanna and fellow children’s book authors Gary Golio, Jennifer Ziegler, and Chris Barton signed at Austin’s indie bookstore, Bookpeople. April 2017.

Susanna and Gary at the 2014 Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.

At Indies First Storytime Day, Susanna read to kids from her favorite books, The Voracious Reader, Larchmont, NY, May 2014.

Indies First Storytime Day at The Voracious Reader. May 2014

As Chair of the PEN Children’s and YA Books Committee, Susanna introduced two events at the 2014 PEN World Voices Festival. Pictured here at the PEN gala (from l.): Susanna, panelist Sarwat Chadda, former committee chair Liz Levy.

Susanna at the 2013 Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.

Susanna and fellow author Rob Fleder taking part in the Indies First campaign at Pleasantville’s Village Bookstore on Small Business Saturday. November 2013.

Susanna introduces the panel, “Children’s Literature: Braving Our Endangered World,” at the 2013 PEN World Voices Festival in NYC. With (from l.) Padma Venkatraman, Loree Burns, Eliot Schrefer, Andrew Revkin.

At the 2018 Children’s Writers of the Hudson Valley Annual Conference, Susanna and Gary spoke about writing biography for young people and ended their presentation with a musical performance. Poughkeepsie, NY, June 2018.

Susanna with her Julia Child-sized whisk, presenting “Minette’s Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat” at the 2012 Baltimore Book Festival.

At the 2012 Baltimore Book Festival with Gary (l.) and Ed Young.

“Minette’s Feast” Storytime at Greenlight Bookstore, Brooklyn, NY, September 2012. Photo by Laurel Golio.

Pint-sized foodies brought their grownups to the “Minette’s Feast” Storytime. Greenlight Bookstore, Brooklyn, NY, September 2012. Photo by Laurel Golio.

“Minette’s Feast” illustrator Amy Bates provided coloring sheets for the young book lovers. Greenlight Bookstore, September 2012. Photo by Laurel Golio.

Susanna showing one of the flower arrangements she designed for Julia Child’s 80th birthday party. “Minette’s Feast” Storytime, Greenlight Bookstore, Brooklyn, NY, September 2012. Photo by Laurel Golio.

Susanna talking about “Minette’s Feast” at the Julia Child Celebration and Booksigning, Books of Wonder, NYC. August 2012.

Susanna signing “Minette’s Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat” in the Abrams booth at the American Library Association Annual Convention. Anaheim, CA, June 2012.

Susanna gave a cooking demonstration at the 2012 American Library Association Annual Convention. Attendees got to sample Julia Child’s cucumber soup. Anaheim, CA, June 2012.

Susanna spoke on a panel at the 2012 Millbrook Literary Festival. Pictured (from r.) authors Steven James Petruccio, Susanna Reich, K.L. Going, Peter McCarty, Artie Bennett, Alison Ashley Formento, Susanna Hill.

Susanna speaking at the launch party for “Minette’s Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat,” The Village Bookstore, Pleasantville, NY, May 2012.

At the “Minette’s Feast” launch party, hand-decorated butter cookies matched the theme of the evening. The Village Bookstore, Pleasantville, NY, April 2012.

Susanna celebrating Children’s Book Week and the launch of “Minette’s Feast” with Francine Lucidon, owner of The Voracious Reader in Larchmont, NY. May 2012.

Susanna reads “Minette’s Feast” to a packed house at The Voracious Reader, Larchmont, NY. April 2012.

Susanna signing “Minette’s Feast” for young fans. The Voracious Reader, Larchmont, NY. April 2012.

Susanna moderated the Children’s Rights panel at the 2012 PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature in NYC. With (from l.) Wojtek Jagielski, Debby Dahl Edwardson, Patricia McCormick and Arn Chorn-Pond.

Susanna and Gary celebrated Children’s Book Week with a signing at the Hudson Children’s Book Festival. Hudson, NY, May 2011.

Susanna spoke on a panel at the NY Public Library. From left: moderator Elizabeth Bird, Pat Cummings, Vicki Wittenstein, Susanna Reich. October 2010.

Susanna signs “Painting the Wild Frontier” at Celebrate Children’s Book Day at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside. Tarrytown, NY, September 2010.

Susanna joined children’s book authors Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich and Mitali Perkins to record a podcast in the PEN booth at the Brooklyn Book Festival. Brooklyn, NY, September 2010.

Susanna and author-illustrator Melanie Hope Greenberg presented “Marketing to the Max: Publicity for Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators” for Metro NY SCBWI. June 2010. Photo by Barbara Ehrentreu.

Susanna visited a classroom at P.S. 46 in Brooklyn. The kids were studying “José! Born to Dance.” May 2010.

Susanna with students at P.S. 46, Brooklyn, NY. May 2010.

Students at Brooklyn’s P.S. 46 during Susanna’s school visit. May 2010.

Susanna and Fran Manushkin, co-chairs of PEN’s Children’s & YA Books Committee, introduced the children’s book panel at the PEN World Voices Festival in NYC. Moderator Elizabeth Bird (ctr.) with authors (from l.) Janne Teller, Ed Young, David Almond, and Francisco X. Stork. Photo: PEN American Center/Beowulf Sheehan. April 2010.

Susanna and Fran Manushkin, co-chairs of PEN’s Children’s & YA Books Committee, introduced a panel discussion, “Crafting a Career as a Children’s or Young Adult Author.” From l: authors Fran Manushkin, Richard Peck, Marilyn Singer, Brian Floca, Jane O’Connor, David Levithan, Susanna Reich. NYC, February 2010.

Susanna with author-illustrators Melanie Hope Greenberg and Grace Lin at the 2009 Brooklyn Book Festival.

All dressed up for the PEN Literary Gala at the Museum of Natural History. Susanna joined the PEN Board of Trustees in 2009.

Susanna with authors Neil Gaiman and Mariken Jongman at the 2009 PEN World Voices Festival in NYC. Photo © Susan Kuklin.

With children’s book panelists at the PEN World Voices Festival. From l.: Susanna Reich, Shaun Tan, Mariken Jongman, Neil Gaiman, Andrea Davis Pinkney, and PEN Children’s & YA Books Committe co-chair Fran Manushkin. NYC April 2009. Photo © Susan Kuklin.

Susanna, Marc Nobleman and other authors spoke at a panel co-sponsored by SCBWI of Lower Fairfield County and the Harry Bennett Branch Library. Stamford, CT, April 2009.

Signing at Books on the Common in Ridgefield, CT, on Kids Heart Authors Day. From left: Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Jackie Logsted, Greg Logsted, Marc Tyler Nobleman, Susanna Reich, Nora Raleigh Baskin. February 2009.

Susanna with “Ud-je-jock, an Ojibwa boy,” by George Catlin. Susanna spoke about “Painting the Wild Frontier: The Art and Adventures of George Catlin” on Family Day at the Smithsonian American Art Museum Renwick Gallery. Washington, DC, February 2009.

Susanna signing “Painting the Wild Frontier” at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Washington, DC, February 2009.

Susanna speaking at the Smithsonian. Washington, DC, February 2009.

Kids made dreamcatchers at the Catlin for Kids event at the Smithsonian. Washington, DC, February, 2009.

Susanna with (from r.) actors Mark Indelicato and Diego Rodriguez at the Greenwich Village Barnes & Noble. Diego stars in the musical “José Limón: The Making of an Artist,” which is based on Susanna’s book, “José! Born to Dance.” January 2009. Photo by Laurel Golio.

Actor Mark Indelicato reads “José! Born to Dance” at the Greenwich Village Barnes & Noble in NYC. January 2009. Photo by Laurel Golio.

At the launch party for “Painting the Wild Frontier: The Art and Adventures of George Catlin.” The Village Bookstore, Pleasantville, NY. September 2008. Photo by Laurel Golio.

Susanna and a fan at the launch party for “Painting the Wild Frontier.” The Village Bookstore, Pleasantville, NY, September 2008. Photo by Laurel Golio.

Signing at the launch party for “Painting the Wild Frontier.” The Village Bookstore, Pleasantville, NY, September 2008. Photo by Laurel Golio.

Susanna signing “Painting the Wild Frontier: The Art and Adventures of George Catlin” in the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt booth at the American Library Association Annual Conference. Anaheim, CA, June 2008.

Susanna organized the 3rd Annual Kindling Words Caravan, which brought 47 authors, illustrators, and editors to Phoenix Books and Cafe in Essex, VT, to sign books and meet fans. January 2008.

At the 2007 PEN Literary Awards Ceremony, Susanna presented the 2007 PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer’s Fellowship to YA author Diane Les Becquets on behalf of PEN and fellow judges David Klass and Walter Dean Myers. From left: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Bloomsbury Publishing Director Melanie Cecka, Diane Les Becquets, Susanna Reich.

Texas State University President Dr. Denise Trauth presents Susanna with the 2005 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award for “José! Born to Dance.” Sylvan Rodriguez Elementary School. Houston, TX. September 2006.

Susanna and Raúl signed “José! Born to Dance” in Houston’s historic City Hall. Susanna and Raúl (seated) are pictured here with members of Tomás Rivera’s family. September 2006.

A young book lover with Susanna at the launch party for “Penelope Bailey Takes the Stage.” Festivities included mask making, a dress-up costume box, a reading and signing by the author, and cookies courtesy of Matthew Reich and Tom Cat Bakery. Good Yarns, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, June 2006.

On the Kindling Words Caravan Children’s Book Author Tour, Susanna and eleven other authors signed books at Village Square Books in Bellows Falls, VT. Pictured are (back row, from l.) Ellen Wittlinger, Jessie Haas, Marguerite (Peg) Davol, Karen Romano Young, Elise Broach, Jeanine Atkins. Middle row: Jane Buchanan, Nancy Castaldo, Lisa Papademetriou, Susanna Reich. Front row, booksellers Nancy Powers and Mitzi Hakey, Sarah Darer Littman, Kyra Teis.

Susanna signs “José! Born to Dance” for Nancy and Lucie Castaldo at the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, NY. August 2005. Launch events for Susanna’s first picture book took place in Boston and Chatham, MA; Paramus, NJ; White Plains, Hastings-on-Hudson, and Tarrytown, NY; New London, New Canaan, and Storrs, CT; and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.