McNally Robinson NYC

by Mat Johnson
(Random House, $19.99)
My favorite kind of book is one that both moves and challenges me taking me on a thrill ride of story and character. Mat Johnon’s new graphic novel rides that dangerous edge between heavy issues and heavy-hitting action, with the black-and-white story of a black man passing for white in the lynching-plagued 1930s South. It pulls it off in the way only a comic can, and manages to work gender politics, family dynamics, and some darned funny dialogue into a suspenseful mystery. An important (and enjoyable) moment in the history of literary comics..

by Michael Chabon
(McSweeney’s, $24.00)
Some of these essays are mere autobiographical fillips; some are semi-sinister trickster tales that mix truth and lies; some are heady considerations of the successes and failings of contemporary literature. All are written with Chabon’s unparalleled wit and richness of language and engage his favorite themes of genre fiction and Jewishness. Buy it now, if only to posesses the astonishingly complex and beautiful book design by cartoonist Jordan Crane; once this print run is gone it’ll be a plain old book again, like magic ending after the stroke of midnight..

by Joan Sfar
(Pantheon, $16.95) and (Pantheon, $22.95) respectively
Joann Sfar is the blazing star of the French comics scene (which is a really big deal). His Rabbi’s Cat stories are meandering and thoughtful, written and drawn as though he’s thinking them out while creating them. As he thinks, he takes on unrequited love, philosophical quandaries, ethnic identity, ambitions and failures, anti-Semitism in Europe and Africa, and the power of storytelling, all through the eyes of a talking cat and his long-suffering rabbi. Volume 1 won the Eisner Award, American comics’ highest honor, and Volume 2 is a welcome continuation. Reading these books is like treating yourself to a long, leisurely walk in the sun..

by Kevin Brockmeier
(Random House, $21.95)
The best part of Brockmeier’s sleeper hit novel Brief History of the Dead was the stand-alone first chapter about the city of the dead. This latest short story collection has a whole host of those concentrated, moving, fable-like tales: a man who accidentally picks up God’s overcoat and finds himself besieged by inscrutable prayers; a woman whose life is changed by her photo in National Geographic; a mute man who tends parakeets in order to contribute song to the world. Not every one works, but when they do it’s like the moment of clarity in a dream..

Readings from Once Upon a Cuento (Curbstone Press)
With editor Lyn Miller-Lachmann
And contributor Sergio Troncoso
Once Upon A Cuento is a collection of stories for young people by contemporary Latina/o authors, exploring heritage and history, identity, language, and relationships from the perspective of Mexican-American, Cuban-American, Dominican-American, and Puerto Rican writers. Individual stories explore such challenges facing young people as making do with little money, the process of moving to a new country and learning English, and one’s relationship to animals and to the natural world. Each story contains a short introduction that offers historical, cultural, and biographical information. Young people in fifth grade and above are invited to join us for readings of the stories in English and dialogue with the writers in Spanish..

Beloved design company Paul Frank has chosen the multi-talented, prolific musician Andrew W.K. to present their first-ever bedtime story, Only In Dreams, with monkey mascot Julius alongside to autograph copies. Kids of all ages and their parents are welcome to come hear Andrew read and speak about the importance of reading and the arts. For every copy of Only In Dreams purchased at McNally Robinson, Paul Frank and Chronicle will donate a new book and match the sale with a monetary contribution to First Book, which gives children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. And, bring your autographed copy of Only In Dreams to the after party at The Paul Frank Store New York and get 20% off anything that makes hitting the sack a bit more exciting..

Unglue those glazed little eyes from the big screen. Flipping pages is more fun than flipping channels and we’ve got millions of pages at McNally Robinson. Children’s author Yvonne Brooks will read exciting stories about singing, dancing, and making music. Kids will be tapping their feet and chanting, “No more TV, pass another book, please.” When Olivia Forms a Band (Ian Falconer), aspiring musicians will learn how to transform domestic spaces into musical places; in Mole Music (David McPhail), kids discover that sharing music can change the world; and Drumbeat in Our Feet (Keeler and Leitao) will inspire kids to dance in the aisles. After Storytime, kids will create, tune up, and take home their own musical instruments. Come to the bright red and blue reading rug in the children’s section of McNally Robinson Booksellers. All materials provided. Ages 3 to 7..

… What every Mother loves to hear on Mother’s Day. At McNally Robinson, kids will make beautiful Mother’s Day cards and jewelry using photos, frames, pop-up techniques, ribbons, sequins, beads and buttons. Resident Storyteller Yvonne Brooks will also read stories about warm, fuzzy, and “metallic mothers.” A young boy constructs a not-so-perfect Mama Robot (Cali, Cantone, Danesi); a young girl asserts her identity in Mommy Doesn’t Know My Name (Williams, Shachat); and kids will be fascinated by animal mothers and their rituals in I Love You, Sleepyhead (Freedman, Mendez). For ages 3 to 7; materials provided..

Elephants, real and imaginary, can paint, play, and be circus stars; they can be brave, helpful, loyal, funny.

And, when an elephant’s name is Babar, be prepared for larger than life elephant yoga. After Storytime, kids can make their own elephant hand puppets..

Author of Opting In: Having a Child Without Losing Yourself (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
For this special edition of our Friday Baby Storytime for parents of children up to age 2, McNally Robinson welcomes Amy Richards to read from a book especially for mothers. Opting In is (Read more...).