Larchmont and Mamaroneck Authors to Participate In Children's Book Fair

Two of the most prolific writers in the children's book world will display their latest books and sign copies for purchasers at the 14th annual holding of "Celebrate Children's Day at Sunnyside." The fair will take place Sunday, Sept. 25 on the grounds of Washington Irving's estate in Tarrytown from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Both are local residents. 

Although sixty writers and author/illustrators will participate in the fair very few come close in terms of generating new titles to Mamaroneck resident Charise Mericle Harper and Larchmont resident Todd Strasser. 

Harper is in the process of publishing six books in 12 months. "Certainly a record for me," she said. One of the books called Just Grace and the Double Surprise is the eighth in a series of ten.

She said her instructive guide The Best Birthday Ever, released in January, 2011, "provides readers with a detailed guide on how to have the best birthday ever with tricks and tips on what not to do when planning your big event." She added "It is a child's 'how-to' book for having a pretend birthday party."

Her next three books, all intended for youngsters, are about fashion (to be released on Oct. 4, 2011), the power of cuteness (to be published on Oct.10, 2011) and healthy eating (to be available on Nov. 22, 2011).

Strasser is the author of more than 120 books for teens and middle schoolers, many of which have names that border on the bizarre. His books expected to be at the fair represent his latest work: Blood on My Hands, Wish You Were Dead, Give a Boy a Gun, Is That a Dead Dog in Your Locker?, Is That a Sick Cat in Your Backpack?, Boot Camp, and Famous.

Strasser did not set out to be an author; he toiled for a while as an advertising copywriter. "When I worked at Compton Advertising, I wrote commercials for Tide detergent," he said. "I tried to come up with a line to replace 'Tide's in, Dirt's out,' but I never did."

In the hope of raising money to start a business, he wrote a book called Angel Dust Blues, published in 1979 by Coward, McCann & Geoghegan (later purchased by G.P. Putnam's Sons and now a part of Penguin Group). 

He used the book's earnings to found The Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. "The next thing I know I was covered by People magazine and I was selling more fortune cookies than books."

But he found writing to his liking and decided to make it his profession.

His third book in what he calls a "Thrillogy" will be published in November, 2011. Work has commenced on his next book, a semi-autobiographical account of the Cuban missile crisis. 

Strasser is an ardent surfer, challenging the waves as recently as last week at Gilgo Beach, Long Island. He rented a beach house in Montauk, Long Island last July and usually visits Costa Rica in January to surf.

He has been a resident of Larchmont for 20 years.

Harper will greet fans at Daffodil Hill from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. Strasser will available for signing at the Mid-Section area from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. 

The non-profit Historic Hudson Valley (HHV) owns and operates Sunnyside, the homestead of Washington Irving, the author best known for writing The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle.

Picnic food from Irvington-based Geordane’s will be available for purchase. The fair is sponsored by Sunnyside Federal Savings and Loan of Irvington and produced by Beth Vetare-Civitello and Susan Brandes. 

The hours are noon to 6 p.m. The admission cost is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors; $6 for children ages 5-17; and free for children under 5 and HHV members. Tours of Irving’s house are included in the price of admission. Tickets can be purchased online here. Washington Irving’s Sunnyside is at 89 West Sunnyside Ln. in Tarrytown, one mile south of the Tappan Zee Bridge, off Route 9.