Those hoping to see graphic novelists Raina Telgemeier and Gale Galligan – authors of multiple bestselling graphic novels aimed at tweens – this Sunday (Sept. 13) in Palo Alto are out of luck.
Hosted by Los Altos’ Linden Tree Books, the event sold out weeks ago, with 850 fans expected to fill Gunn High School’s Spangenberg Theater.
“Everybody we’ve mentioned it to has been incredibly excited,” Linden Tree Books co-owner Chris Saccheri said. “Ticket sales have been through the roof. Everybody’s just really excited to see and hear from Raina and Gale and have an opportunity to meet them.”
He said the chance to host the authors came through the store’s relationship with children’s book publisher Scholastic.
“Scholastic, who’s publishing the ‘Baby-Sitters Club’ graphic novel that they’ve written and adapted together, reached out to us and asked if we wanted to host them,” Saccheri said. “We’ve done a number of events with Scholastic recently – some big events including a big ‘Wings of Fire’ event back in June … and (hosting the authors) seemed like a great opportunity.”
“The Baby-Sitters Club” graphic novels – based on Ann M. Martin’s book series – have been a hit globally. Along with this series, Telgemeier is known for popular graphic novels “Sisters” and “Smile.”
Their stop in Palo Alto is part of a book tour to promote “The Baby-Sitters Club Super Special: Baby-Sitters on Board,” a graphic novel set for release Sept. 15.
Linden Tree Books store manager Grace Lane said planning the event wasn’t too difficult, but finding a venue proved challenging.
“… there was a lot of trying to figure out where to hold it that would have enough space around Linden Tree, and that’s really only Gunn High School and Foothill College,” Lane said. “We looked at other high schools around the Peninsula, but most of them top out at 400 or 500 seats.”
Saccheri said the event will not only give attendees an opportunity to hear from the authors but also briefly meet them.
“Raina and Gale will have a discussion together for 45 minutes or so,” Saccheri said. “Afterwards, we’ll have a really quick meet and greet kind of photo line where people can line up and say hi briefly.”
