Kirk Reedstrom, a former bookseller at Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston, Tex., returned to the store to launch his debut early reader graphic novel series, Duck & Moose (Disney-Hyperion).
"Blue Willow is where I learned everything I love about children's literature," Reedstrom said. "Being able to share these characters with my friends and family at the store where I first mused about making my own books was a dream come true. I cannot thank Cathy, Valerie, Alice, and the rest of the staff enough."
Pictured (l. to r.): Alice Meloy, owner Valerie Koehler, Kirk Reedstrom, Cathy Berner.