With double the number of works of art compared to last year, a special tribute to Maurice Sendak [3], and hosts Jack Gantos and Lauren Myracle [4], the May 29 Children’s Book Art Silent Auction & Reception [5]at BookExpo America is shaping up to be a stellar event.

In addition to works of art created to honor Maurice Sendak, the auction will feature a Sendak original. Thanks to a donation from the Estate of Maurice Sendak, auction participants will be able to bid on a sketch on tracing paper entitled Little Bear that is signed by the beloved author and illustrator.

The auction and reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on May 29 in the River Pavilion of the Jacob Javits Center. Light refreshments, including beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks will be served. Tickets are $99 and may be purchased here [6]. Bookseller members of the ABC Children’s Group at ABA can attend for free. To join the ABC Group, contact ABC Group Manager Shannon O’Connor [7].

Proceeds will support the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression’s [8] defense of the free speech rights of young readers. ABFFE is a co-founder of the Kids’ Right to Read Project (KRRP) [9] and a principal sponsor of Banned Books Week [10], the only national celebration of the freedom to read.

Volunteer opportunities are available [11] to help set up and work the auction. Anyone who is interested should contact ABFFE Auction Manager Kristen Gilligan Vlahos [12].

An online auction [13], featuring different works of art, will be held the week before the Javits event.

ABFFE’s auction website [14] offers a preview of the growing number of artworks in each auction [15].