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Mysterious Galaxy Honored With Raven Award

The Mystery Writers of America (MWA) has named Mysterious Galaxy, in San Diego and Redondo Beach, California, as the recipient of its 2013 Raven Award in the mystery bookstore category.

Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego, which was opened by Terry Gilman, Maryelizabeth Hart, and Jeff Mariotte in 1993, “has not only served their customers, but has contributed to their community with several successful literacy programs benefiting local schools, libraries, and businesses,” MWA said.  “In 2011, they opened the Redondo Beach store, in the greater LA area. This store has a state-of-the-art media room and adjoining cafe, and stocks some 15,000 to 20,000 books in a renovated 4,000 square-foot  facility.”

Maryelizabeth Hart said, “From the day we opened our doors almost 20 years ago, we’ve believed that bookstores are the bridge between the (sometimes overlapping) community of readers and the community of authors and publishers. We’ve tried to serve both communities well, and are delighted and proud of this recognition from MWA.”

Monkey See, Monkey Do Raises Funds for Organ Procurement Program

Left to right: Kim Krug and Kathleen Skoog of Monkey See, Monkey Do…Children’s Bookstore with Amy Nash, 2013 Rose Parade Donate Life float rider.

On December 1, Monkey See, Monkey Do…Children’s Bookstore in Clarence, New York, hosted “All Aboard: The Polar Express,” a program for school-age children, which featured games, activities, and crafts related to Chris Van Allsburg’s classic story. The event was a fundraiser for Unyts Donate Life Foundation, a western New York organ procurement organization. The program was led by Amy Nash, a friend of the bookstore and a two-time kidney transplant recipient, who is scheduled to ride on the Donate Life float in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California. A pre-school version of the program is slated for today, Thursday, December 6.

Galaxy Bookshop Celebration to Benefit Local Library

On Saturday, December 15, Galaxy Bookshop in Hardwick, Vermont, will host six local authors for a celebration of children’s books to benefit the local library.

Half of all profits made during the event will go to the library in support of its role in the community — providing free access to books and technology services in Hardwick. The participating authors — Katherine and John Paterson, Linda Urban, David Martin, Jenny Land, and Jo Knowles — will share their passion for connecting kids with books.