My friend Megan invited me to an exclusive book signing for Brandon Mull, the author of the Fablehaven series. Okay, maybe it wasn’t exclusive, but he came to the school where she works, so it wasn’t like everyone was invited. She also invited Taylor, a daughter of a friend of mine, and  last minute we decided to bring Tanner and Natalya too! When we got there, the line was not long at all, and we only had about 20 people in front of us. We were pretty excited about that until the people in front of us let at least 20 people “merge” in line with them. Regardless, we only had to wait about 45 min. The kids entertained themselves pretty well by reading Pingo over and over again, and forcing Megan to play surrogate Mom by taking them to get drinks and go potty. I really felt for the people who ended up at the end of the line that weaved in and out of the schools hallway.

It was fun to meet an author is such a relaxed setting. We were able to talk to him and take pictures. We each had one book to be signed, Tanner had Pingo, Natalya had Candy Shop Wars (fitting since she loves candy) and I brought the first book in the Fablehaven series. He talked to Tanner a bit, asked him how old he was, and if he liked the book. He loved Natalya. He said he had a 3 year old daughter too! He asked me if I had read Fablehaven before. I laughed because I have read it several times. I said, ” I have read all your books, and made my husband and all my friends read them too!” He just laughed and said he thought it was great that adults have been interested in his books too! He was so nice and polite, he seemed genuinely excited to be there. We also got a signed poster for the last book the Fablehaven Series. Brandon Mull mentioned that he was really proud of himself to have actually done a five book series!

Megan and and Taylor were actually able to go to the school earlier in the day when Brandon Mull did a workshop for one of the grades. Megan and Taylor were both able to meet him then too, and have their  books signed, and Taylor said they didn’t even have to wait in line! Megan mentioned that he talked about writing stories and how important it is to have good characters and develop them properly, even before you have a setting. I think it is great that Brandon Mull has not been swept away by his popularity, and that he still takes time to teach and meet with fans.

Along with the book siging, the school also had a lot of activities going on for the kids. There was a station where you could draw Pingo, a place to make book marks, scrapbook pages, do Fablehaven trivia, a book walk, and a Cat in the Hat story telling.

There was also a backdrop they made so people could take pictures. They had a drawing of Pingo and of the hag from Fablehaven. It was a really fun night and I am so glad we were able to go!

One of my favorite parts was listening to Tanner and Taylor in the back seat. Taylor is ten years old, but treated Tanner like a peer. I was really impressed with how nice and friendly she was with him! They talked about all sorts of stuff, heaven, horses, prisons, police men, school, St. George,  and they told each other scary stories. I sort of wish I had a little tape recorder so I could have captured it all!