This week, Wendy Lamb gets fêted as she steps down from her eponymous imprint; Dan Santat and Cecil Castellucci talk plainly; Tiffany Jewell celebrates her debut workbook; and Karen McManus has a Power-ful launch.

A Toast to Wendy Lamb

Last Thursday, at Random House’s New York offices, Random House Children’s Books held a celebration for Wendy Lamb (r.), following her departure from Wendy Lamb Books on December 31. Here, author Rebecca Stead bids Lamb a fond farewell from the daily running of the imprint.

Art Saves

Presented in conjunction with the Journal of Alta California, Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat and author Cecil Castellucci visited Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, Calif., last Thursday. The duo discussed the reissue of Castellucci’s debut graphic novel, The PLAIN Janes, illustrated by Jim Ruggs. Released by Little, Brown, this new edition combines the two volumes first published under DC’s short-lived Minx imprint, The PLAIN Janes (2007) and Janes in Love (2008), with an all-new third volume, Janes Attack Back. Afterward, guests participated in a Janes-style Art Attack, writing or drawing their own hopes, fears, or confessions on notecards and then sharing them with each other.

Anti-Bias Education

This past Sunday, Montessori educator and consultant Tiffany Jewell (l.) commemorated her debut book for young readers, This Book Is Anti-Racist (Frances Lincoln). The event took place at Booklink Booksellers in Northampton, Mass. Jewell addressed a full room as she spoke with Mellissa Giraud, the co-founder of nonprofit organization EmbraceRace. The group provides resources to nurture racial justice advocacy, inclusivity, and empathy in children. Jewell ended with a poetry reading and q&a session.

One of Us Is Launching

Author Karen McManus (l.) stopped by Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Mass., on January 7 to launch her latest novel, One of Us Is Next (Delacorte), sequel to the bestselling One of Us Is Lying. Joined by fellow bestselling Massachusetts author Rory Power (Wilder Girls, Delacorte), Karen talked about the sequel, her writing, and more. A book signing with both authors followed.